National World Top Stories Update Tuesday 30 December, 2025
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has given us an insight into how his staring XI will look for tomorrow’s trip to Sunderland.
Belgian international Jeremy Doku is battling a leg injury.placeholder image
Belgian international Jeremy Doku is battling a leg injury. | Getty Images
Generally speaking, Man City are going into the match with most of their players still being fit to play; it’s a testament to both their squad depth and Guardiola’s player management that only a handful of stars are currently sidelined.
John Stones has a thigh injury, Oscar Bobb is recovering from a hamstring problem and Matteo Kovacic is out with a long-term ankle injury; aside from Rayan Ait-Nouri and Omar Marmoush being away at AFCON, everyone else is available - aside from winger Jeremy Doku.
The Belgium international has been absent since December 6, when Man City beat Sunderland 3-0; since then, he has been dealing with a leg injury, but appears to be close to a return.
When asked about player fitness, Guadiola said: “Rodri has come back, maybe he can play a few minutes. Doku maybe, John [Stones] and Oscar [Bobb] no.”
Doku will be keen to stake a claim to his position in the starting XI, with the expected arrival of Bournemouth attacker Antoine Semenyo when the January transfer window opens.
On this subject, Guardiola gave nothing away as he simply said: “The transfer window is completely closed right now.”
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