“Manchester City Faces Injury Crisis Ahead of Southampton Clash: Six Key Players Unavailable”
Manchester City is bracing for a challenging Premier League showdown against Southampton this Saturday, with the team struggling to cope without six key players sidelined due to injuries.
In recent weeks, injuries have plagued the squad, with wingers Jeremy Doku and Jack Grealish recently adding to the growing list of absentees. This crunch on squad depth was evident during their Champions League victory over Sparta Prague, where Pep Guardiola could only name seven substitutes—two of whom were goalkeepers.
As the Saints prepare to visit the Etihad, Guardiola’s tone in his pre-match press conference reflected the team’s ongoing challenges. Here’s the latest update from the City injury report:
Jeremy Doku
Injury: Undisclosed
Current Status: The talented winger has sustained an injury that is expected to keep him sidelined until after the November international break. Guardiola confirmed that recovery could take several weeks.
Potential Return Date: Tottenham (H) on November 23.
Jack Grealish
Injury: Undisclosed
Current Status: Grealish picked up an injury during training just before the Champions League match against Sparta Prague. His availability for this weekend remains uncertain.
Potential Return Date: Tottenham (A) on October 30.
Kyle Walker
Injury: Undisclosed
Current Status: Walker missed the recent match against Wolves due to a fitness concern. After participating in one of England’s two international fixtures, Guardiola remains uncertain about his return, with the Southampton game likely coming too soon.
Potential Return Date: Tottenham (A) on October 30.
Kevin De Bruyne
Injury: Thigh
Current Status: De Bruyne has been absent since suffering a thigh injury against Inter Milan in the Champions League. While he is back in light training, Guardiola noted that the Belgian still doesn’t feel right, leading the team to exercise caution.
Potential Return Date: Bournemouth (A) on November 2.
Rodri
Injury: Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL)
Current Status: Rodri faces a severe setback with a significant knee injury that will rule him out for the remainder of the season. The club hopes he will be fit to start when the next campaign kicks off in 2025-26.
Potential Return Date: August 2025.
Oscar Bobb
Injury: Fractured Leg
Current Status: The Norwegian player sustained a leg fracture in August and is now racing against time to return before the year’s end. There are hopes that Bobb will see some action over the festive period.
Potential Return Date: December.
As City navigates this injury crisis, they will need to rally their resources and strategy to maintain momentum in the league against Southampton.
