Manchester City's Premier League title charge has been dealt a significant setback with the news that key winger Jeremy Doku will be sidelined for several weeks.
Guardiola confirms Doku absence
Manager Pep Guardiola revealed the injury blow ahead of his side's upcoming home fixture against West Ham United. Doku is expected to be out for a minimum of two to three weeks, with a potential return pencilled in for the New Year's Day trip to face Sunderland.
The Belgian international has been a crucial figure for City this campaign, making 25 appearances and contributing five goals and five assists. His direct running, blistering pace, and ability to stretch defences have been vital in creating space for teammates like Erling Haaland.
Savinho steps into the spotlight
With Doku unavailable, Guardiola confirmed that Brazilian forward Savinho is primed to take on a more prominent role. The manager was full of praise for the youngster's reaction after losing possession in the recent Carabao Cup win over Brentford, highlighting his immediate defensive effort.
"He lost one or two balls and in two seconds he was a full-back," Guardiola said. "I was incredibly pleased... Savinho is going to play a lot of minutes." This suggests the 20-year-old will be the primary deputy during Doku's absence.
Title race implications for City and Arsenal
The injury comes at a pivotal moment in the season. City have won their last six matches in all competitions, closing the gap on league leaders Arsenal to just two points. Their upcoming schedule includes:
- West Ham (H) - Premier League
- Nottingham Forest (A) - December 27
- Sunderland (A) - January 1
- Chelsea (H) - January 4
While City cope without Doku, their title rivals Arsenal are also grappling with their own fitness concerns, including defenders Gabriel Magalhaes and Ben White. The ability of both squads to navigate these setbacks could prove decisive in the championship battle.
For West Ham, managed by Nuno Espirito Santo, the absence of the dangerous Doku will be a small relief as they seek a positive result at the Etihad to move away from the relegation zone.
