Manchester City’s injury problems have eased, but there is no sign of an upturn in results.
Pep Guardiola’s side have now gone seven matches without a win, after losing to Liverpool at Anfield, and they are 11 points off the pace in the Premier League title race.
Ruben Dias was fit to start at Anfield, while the likes of Manuel Akanji and Nathan Ake are up to fitness and both Jeremy Doku and Kevin De Bruyne came off the bench.
The injury list has shortened, but John Stones missed that match as he continues to contend with problems this season, while Rodri and Mateo Kovacic are absent in midfield.
Here is the latest Man City injury news...
John Stones
John Stones has not featured since he came off at half-time in the defeat to Tottenham last month.
Speaking after that match, Guardiola said: "John felt good, but after 45 minutes he had to leave.”
However, Stones did not even make the squad against Liverpool on Sunday and no update has been provided on when he will return.
Potential return date: Unknown
Mateo Kovacic
Guardiola’s midfield problems were added to when Mateo Kovacic returned from the last international break with an injury.
The 30-year-old has not played for Man City for three weeks, missing all three matches since club football resumed, with Guardiola most recently providing an update before his side were beaten by Tottenham.
“It will be a while, a few weeks or one month,” Guardiola said at the time.
Potential return date: Late December 2024
Oscar Bobb
Having impressed in pre-season, Oscar Bobb was dealt a cruel blow when he suffered a leg fracture in training ahead of the new campaign.
The 21-year-old has slowly been building his way back to fitness, but he will not return this year and instead have to wait until the second-half of the season to make an impact.
“I think, January or February, he will be ready,” Guardiola said in October.
Potential return date: January or February 2025
Rodri
Ballon d’Or winner Rodri suffered an ACL injury earlier in September against Arsenal, undergoing surgery which was expected to keep him out for the rest of the season.
However, speaking last week on The Rest Is Football podcast, Rodri revealed he has not given up hope on returning in the final weeks of the campaign.
He said: "My target is to come back this season. I don't give up on this season, [but] I don't want to make any mistakes. My target is six or seven months.
"I am doing much better than I thought.”
Potential return date: Summer 2025
