(Image: Jeff Dean/Getty Images.)
Manchester City's faltering Premier League title hopes suffered a potential knockout blow on Sunday when Liverpool ran out 2-0 winners in an eagerly awaited Anfield clash.
Pep Guardiola's side were second best throughout and have dropped to fifth ahead of the midweek home date with Nottingham Forest. The City chief was able to welcome Jeremy Doku back to the squad and Ruben Dias back to the starting line-up, while Kevin De Bruyne again came off the bench to earn valuable minutes in his return to fitness.
But City remain without a quartet of first team players with their issues in midfield exacerbated by those on the sidelines. Here's the injury latest from the Etihad.
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Mateo Kovacic
Injury: Unknown
What we know: Guardiola said Kovacic returned from Nations League duty with Croatia carrying an injury that will keep him out for 'maybe a month'. It is a sizeable blow for City given the continued enforced absence of Rodri
Potential return date: Aston Villa (A) December 21
John Stones
Injury: Unknown
What we know: He was only able to play 45 minutes against Spurs before coming off and has missed out on a place in the last two squads. City will hope he is fit for Wednesday.
Potential return date: Nottingham Forest (H) December 4
Rodri
Injury: Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL)
What we know: Rodri has sustained a serious knee injury and will be out until the middle of next year. He has spoken of his desire to play again this season, possibly in the Club World Cup.
Potential return date: June 2025
Oscar Bobb
Injury: Fractured Leg
What we know: The Norwegian suffered his leg break in August and he is now in a race against the clock to come back before the end of the year. The hope is that Bobb will play some part over the festive period.
Potential return date: Late December