Pep Guardiola and Manchester City are expecting key players to return from injury over the next month. Currently, Erling Haaland, Jeremy Doku, John Stones and Kevin De Bruyne are all out as they recover from injury. Given that January will see the fixture congestion ease it will give the four players mentioned a chance to recover. The fixture list ramps up again in February with the return of the UEFA Champions League and City will need all hands on deck.
Speaking before his side clashes with Sheffield United Pep Guardiola was hopeful of having his injured players back with the squad over the next month. He told the media: “No. Just Kevin (De Bruyne) was training with us, is training with us. But I don’t know, I still didn’t speak with the doctors either, so we will see. But the closest one (to returning) I had the feeling is maybe Kevin. But yeah, we have that game (against Sheffield United) and after we have seven days before Huddersfield, we have six days before Newcastle, and after we have 14 days until the next FA Cup just in case we beat Huddersfield, so in that period maybe we can recover players.”
The Manchester City manager also added that it was important to have their key players back in February. He added: “In February there will be a lot of games and we have to have everyone. Of course, we’re talking about important figures, important players for us.”
There does appear to be light at the end of the injury tunnel for Manchester City. Kevin De Bruyne appears close to a return and a break in the fixture list should see Haaland, Doku and Stones all back before February’s crucial run of games.
