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Summer signing Rayan Ait-Nouri limped out of Manchester City's defeat to Tottenham last weekend but he could be back in action already.
Manchester City could have left-back Rayan Ait-Nouri available for Sunday's trip to Brighton after he was included in the Algeria squad for the September internationals.
Ait-Nouri suffered an ankle injury in the early stages of his home debut against Tottenham last weekend. Having initially tried to play on, he was replaced by Nathan Ake midway through the first half.
The £31million summer signing from Wolves was assessed by club medics earlier this week and on Thursday, he was named in the Algeria squad for their World Cup qualifiers against Botswana and Guinea next week.
After naming his squad, Algeria managed Vladimir Petkovic said the injury wasn't as serious as feared and that City could even field Ait-Nouri at the Amex Stadium this weekend.
“Ait-Nouri had an injury," he said. "The doctors said it’s not serious. He has trained to join the group. Man City plan to have him play in the next match.”
Having the 24-year-old available would be a major boost to Pep Guardiola's efforts to get City back on the winning trail after the Etihad defeat to Spurs.
Ake replaced Ait-Nouri in that game but continues to be linked with a move away from the Etihad, although Manuel Akanji is the defender more likely to depart.
City's summer deal for Ait-Nouri was the first time in eight years they had signed a first-team-ready left-back. Josko Gvardiol covered there for the last two seasons but is currently injured, while Nico O'Reilly also filled in at times last season.
Guardiola will give a further update on Ait-Nouri's fitness when he holds his press conference to preview the Brighton game on Friday lunchtime.
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