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Man City might be without 11 players for crucial Man Utd derby clash

Manchester City could be without 11 first-team players for the Manchester derby on Sunday. The Citizens had fitness worries over several squad members ahead of the international break, before a handful of players pulled out of international duty.

Omar Marmoush was one player who travelled with his nation, but the striker picked up a knee problem in the opening stages of Egypt's 0-0 stalemate with Burkina Faso on Tuesday and now faces a period on the treatment table. The outlook is more encouraging regarding many of the other sidelined players, although Pep Guardiola will provide the full update when he meets the press on Friday afternoon.

Omar Marmoush

Injury: Knee

Marmoush picked up an injury in the fourth minute of Egypt's goalless stalemate with Burkina Faso on Tuesday. He attempted to continue but was substituted five minutes later.

He travelled back to Cairo on crutches and had a scan in Egypt to determine the severity of the problem. The city has now confirmed that the 26-year-old will miss the derby.

A City statement said: "Manchester City FC can confirm that Omar Marmoush has sustained a knee injury whilst on international duty with Egypt. The City striker suffered the injury in the early stages of Egypt's World Cup qualifying match with Burkina Faso on Tuesday evening.

"Initial results on a scan performed in Egypt indicate he will not be available for the Manchester derby on Sunday, and he will now return to Manchester for more assessment and to begin his rehabilitation. Everyone at City wishes Omar a speedy recovery."

Potential return date: Unknown

John Stones

Injury: Muscle

The 31-year-old has featured in all three City matches so far this campaign and completed the entire 90 minutes against Brighton before linking up with England.

However, Three Lions manager Thomas Tuchel revealed he was unwilling to gamble with the centre-half during World Cup qualifiers against Andorra and Serbia.

"Unfortunately, John Stones [has] just left," Tuchel announced on Friday. "He arrived at camp carrying minor muscle issues and didn't improve in the manner we anticipated and hoped for, so he departed this morning as we will not take the risk against Andorra and regrettably also against Serbia."

A City statement confirmed Stones had withdrawn from the squad as a "precautionary measure", though it remains unclear whether he will be available to face United.

Potential return date: Manchester United (H) Sunday, September 14

Abdukodir Khusanov

Injury: Calf

Khusanov is battling to be ready for the derby after withdrawing from the Uzbekistan squad due to a calf problem sustained during City's victory at Brighton.

The 21-year-old was forced off with an injury towards the end of City's defeat on the south coast, with further tests confirming he has suffered a minor knock that is expected to sideline him for two weeks. A statement from the Uzbekistan FA revealed: "Uzbekistan national team defender Abdukodir Khusanov felt unwell yesterday during Manchester City's match against Brighton. After tests, it was revealed that our player has a minor injury to his left calf muscle.

"According to preliminary findings, the recovery period is expected to be two weeks. It was announced that Khusanov will not be able to participate in the CAFA Nations Cup tournament, according to doctors' recommendations."

Potential return date: Manchester United (H) Sunday, September 14

Rico Lewis

Injury: Unknown

The defender withdrew from the England Under-21 squad with an undisclosed injury. City confirmed the full back will undergo assessment at club's training base before the derby.

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Potential return date: Manchester United (H) Sunday, September 14

Rayan Cherki

Injury: Thigh

The France international faces two months on the sidelines after sustaining a thigh injury. This could see Cherki miss 10 fixtures, with the forward already ruled out of the Brighton defeat last time out.

Potential return date: Aston Villa (A), October 26

Rayan Ait-Nouri

Injury: Ankle

Ait-Nouri sustained an ankle problem during the early stages of his home debut against Tottenham.

The £31million summer acquisition from Wolves featured against Brighton but was unable to link up with the Algeria squad for their World Cup qualifiers against Botswana and Guinea.

Potential return date: Manchester United (H) Sunday, September 14

Phil Foden

Injury: Ankle

The midfielder was absent from the Brighton match due to injury. He also missed the final summer friendly owing to an ankle injury, which resulted in his exclusion from the squad for the Premier League opener at Wolves.

He made a brief appearance off the bench in the home game against Spurs but was absent from the Brighton match as he was deemed 'not fully fit'. The 25-year-old was not included in the England squad for the upcoming September matches and is now facing a challenge to regain his fitness and form.

Potential return date: Manchester United (H) Sunday, 14 September

Nico O'Reilly

Injury: Unknown

The midfielder withdrew from the England Under-21 squad due to an undisclosed injury. City announced that the academy graduate will be assessed at the CFA ahead of the derby.

Potential return date: Manchester United (H) Sunday, 14 September

Savinho

Injury: Unknown

Savinho has been missing all season due to an unspecified issue. Tottenham showed interest in signing the Brazilian, who seemed open to the move, but City have ruled out an exit and anticipate the player's return after the international break.

Potential return date: Manchester United (H) Sunday, 14 September

Josko Gvardiol

Injury: Unknown

Gvardiol has yet to feature in a matchday squad this season. The Croatian has resumed light training but has not yet been declared fit enough to play.

Potential return date: Manchester United (H) Sunday, 14 September

Mateo Kovacic

Injury: Achilles

The midfielder might be sidelined until October due to an Achilles injury that required surgery over the summer. Kovacic underwent surgery shortly after the season ended, missing the Club World Cup and the rest of pre-season in the hope of being fit for the start of the new campaign.

However, he is now expected to be out of action until at least the October international break.

Potential return date: Everton (H), October 18

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