Manchester City Injury News: Return Dates for Key Players

Pep Guardiola’s men cruised past Manchester United at the weekend, with an Erling Haaland brace and a strike from Phil Foden easing premature tensions at the Etihad. The win was a welcome lift after back-to-back defeats before the international break had left fans with a feeling of negativity in the air.

However, City are still grappling with a growing injury list, adding extra weight to their upcoming clashes against Napoli and Arsenal. With key names sidelined, these fixtures promise to be sterner tests than usual.

On the bright side, a few names made their comeback after previously being ruled out before the international break. Savinho, Josko Gvardiol, Abdukodir Khusanov and Nico O’Reilly all made their comeback in the Manchester derby - with the latter trio playing a significant part in the win.

Here’s the latest Manchester City injury news, with updates on key players and their return dates.

Omar Marmoush

Marmoush suffered a knee injury just minutes into Egypt’s World Cup qualifier against Burkina Faso, which finished 0-0. The forward had played in all three of City’s Premier League matches before the derby, registering an assist in the 2-1 defeat to Brighton. Ahead of Sunday’s clash, City confirmed: “Initial results on a scan performed in Egypt indicate he will not be available for the Manchester derby. He will now return to Manchester for further assessment and to begin his rehabilitation.”

When will he return?

After further tests, Pep Guardiola provided a clearer update on Marmoush’s recovery: “A few weeks. Before the international break he will be ready.” The Champions League clash against Monaco may be a game too early, but a return against Brentford on October 5 seems likely.

Rayan Cherki

After a bright start to life at City, Rayan Cherki was sidelined by a quadriceps tear. The injury also cost him a spot with the French national team, with Liverpool’s Hugo Ekitike called up in his place.

When will he return?

Cherki is expected to be out for around two months, potentially missing up to nine games. That timeline would put him back in contention for City’s key November fixtures against Borussia Dortmund and Liverpool.

Rayan Ait-Nouri

One of City’s summer arrivals, Rayan Aït-Nouri went straight into Pep Guardiola’s starting XI after impressing at the Club World Cup. His home debut against Tottenham was cut short, however, when he picked up an ankle injury in the opening stages.

When will he return?

Fabrizio Romano reports that Aït-Nouri will be sidelined for around five weeks, which could see the Algerian return in time for City’s Premier League clash with Everton on October 18.

John Stones

The centre-back featured in all of City’s opening Premier League fixtures before being called up to the England squad during the international break. However, he was forced to withdraw due to a muscular problem. While other national managers faced criticism for risking players with knocks, England boss Thomas Tuchel took a more cautious approach. On 5 September, he explained: “He came with minor issues and didn’t progress as we thought and hoped he would, so he left camp [this morning].”

When will he return?

Pep Guardiola opted not to risk Stones in the Manchester derby, listing him as a doubt beforehand. With the issue described as minor, the defender could be back as early as Thursday’s Champions League clash against Napoli.

Mateo Kovacic

The midfielder has been sidelined since early summer with an Achilles injury, ruling him out of both the FA Cup final and City’s Club World Cup campaign. In June, the club confirmed: “Mateo will spend the summer rehabilitating from the operation and everyone at the Club wishes him a speedy recovery.”

When will he return?

Kovacic may be available after the October international break for the clash with Everton, but the absence of a pre-season could push back his full return to action.