Man City manager Pep Guardiola has said that Jeremy Doku will be a “big miss” in upcoming fixtures.
The Belgian international set up both goals during the 2-0 win over Galatasaray on Wednesday night, but he was then forced off with a calf injury. Asked for an update on the player’s fitness, Guardiola was not optimistic about a speedy recovery:
“It’s a big miss [once he goes off]. Jeremy is an important player for so many reasons. We’ll see. Jeremy has had these muscular problems with the demands and his efforts. Hopefully, in March, he can be ready to help us.”
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“He was exceptional in Madrid and in Norway he could not play for the injury that everyone knows what happened in Old Trafford. Unfortunately, he’s not ready for a few more days.”
No exact timeframe has been given for Doku’s return
While Guardiola mentioned that he is hoping to have the 23-year-old back for the Champions League round of 16, that shouldn’t necessarily be interpreted as meaning that the player will be out of action until then.
He did confirm that Doku is unlikely to face Tottenham this weekend, and his participation in upcoming fixtures against Newcastle United (in the Carabao Cup), Liverpool and Fulham is also in doubt.
Man City need others to step up
Doku’s 3 goals and 11 assists have undoubtedly helped Guardiola’s team stay in contention across all competitions, and his absence will raise concerns about how the club will cope without him, especially in the title race.
The arrival of Antoine Semenyo from Bournemouth earlier this month will definitely soften the blow, and the Ghanaian’s strong start to life at the Etihad is a good omen.
Other players will also need to up their game in Doku’s absence. Phil Foden, whose form has dropped alarmingly in recent weeks, and Rayan Cherki do possesses bundles of creativity, and they will play key roles going forward.
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