Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has delivered a significant injury update, confirming that winger Jeremy Doku is set for a spell on the sidelines. The Belgian international is expected to miss at least the next three matches, dealing a blow to City's packed festive fixture list.
Injury Details and Predicted Return
Speaking ahead of his side's Carabao Cup quarter-final against Brentford, Guardiola confirmed the 23-year-old Doku is suffering from a leg problem. The player missed Sunday's 3-0 Premier League victory at Crystal Palace and will not be available for the midweek cup clash.
Guardiola predicted the forward could be out for "two or three weeks," suggesting a potential return against Sunderland on New Year's Day. This timeline means Doku is unlikely to play again in 2025, also ruling him out of league games against West Ham and Nottingham Forest.
Midweek Team Selection and Further Absences
The City boss revealed his plans for a heavily rotated team against Brentford on Wednesday, with goalkeeper James Trafford set to start and academy players likely to be involved. This decision is influenced by the quick turnaround before Saturday's league match with West Ham.
Guardiola's selection headache is compounded by further absences. Key midfielder Rodri and defender John Stones are also confirmed as unavailable for the cup tie. Furthermore, the club will lose Omar Marmoush and Rayan Ait-Nouri in January as they depart for the Africa Cup of Nations with Egypt and Algeria respectively.
Busy Schedule Tests Squad Depth
The injury comes during an intensely busy period for the reigning champions. After the Brentford cup tie, City face a relentless run of games:
- Saturday, December 21: West Ham (H) - Premier League
- Thursday, December 26: Nottingham Forest (A) - Premier League
- Wednesday, January 1: Sunderland (A) - Premier League
- Saturday, January 4: Chelsea (H) - Premier League
- Tuesday, January 7: Brighton (H) - Premier League
- Friday, January 10: Exeter City (A) - FA Cup Third Round
Guardiola acknowledged the challenge, stating, "I'm not saying it's not the priority to get to the semi-finals... but normally when we achieve it, it's when we have all the squad, no injuries and we can rotate." He emphasised the desire to progress, adding, "When you are one game away from the semi-finals, if you can take it, take it, because you never know when it's coming back."
Impact on City's Festive Campaign
The loss of Doku's direct pace and creativity is a setback for Guardiola as he navigates this critical phase of the season. The manager must now rely on his squad's depth to maintain challenges on multiple fronts. The coming weeks will test City's resilience, with the team needing to cope without several important players during a traditionally pivotal time in the football calendar.
