Manchester City manager Enzo Maresca has issued an injury update on Jeremy Doku ahead of Sunday's Premier League opener against Bournemouth.
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The Blues welcome the Cherries to the Etihad Stadium on Sunday afternoon as Enzo Maresca prepares for his first game in charge of Manchester City following the departure of Pep Guardiola during the summer months.
City were given a brutal reality check as to the gulf between the squad Maresca has inherited and subsequently tweaked after Guardiola, and the reigning Premier League champions Arsenal last week, with the Gunners running out 3-0 winners in a very one-sided Community Shield tie.
However, the post-mortem of the game was dominated by concerns around Jeremy Doku's fitness, after the Belgium international went off with a calf injury at the interval against Arsenal in South Wales.
It has also come to light since that Doku had carried fatigue from the summer's FIFA World Cup into the fixture against Mikel Arteta's side, having also struggled with respiratory problems and an ankle issue in recent months whilst on international duty.
Manchester City have received their first major injury blow of the 2026/27 season, with Jeremy Doku due to miss out on the club's Premier League opener against Bournemouth.cityxtra.co.ukJeremy Doku Sidelined For 'Several Weeks' Following Fresh Injury Sustained Against Arsenal
Manchester City have received their first major injury blow of the 2026/27 season, with Jeremy Doku due to miss out on the club's Premier League opener against Bournemouth.
Enzo Maresca hands Jeremy Doku update for Bournemouth
Now, speaking during his pre-match press conference ahead of Sunday's Premier League clash with Bournemouth, Enzo Maresca has confirmed that Jeremy Doku is not in contention to feature against Marco Rose's side and will likely be ruled out for "two, three weeks".
"Unfortunately, in the last game [against Arsenal], at half-time he was complaining about a little bit of pain in his calf," the Italian said when asked how serious Jeremy Doku's injury is.
"The idea with him was to play, in any case, 45 minutes [vs Arsenal]. So, the change was planned."
Furthermore, Enzo Maresca mentioned that Matheus Nunes is now back fit and available for selection this weekend, which many would expect to lead to the Portuguese star starting at right-back against Bournemouth on Sunday.
What is the wider context of Jeremy Doku's absence for Manchester City?
Jeremy Doku's absence for the next few weeks opens the door for academy star Ryan McAidoo, and perhaps even Jack Grealish, to impress Enzo Maresca on the left side of Manchester City's attack.
Grealish made his return in a City shirt during the second-half against Arsenal last week, having spent the 2025/26 campaign on loan at Everton, only for his season to end in January owing to foot bone stress fracture.
With Omar Marmoush currently in transfer talks to potentially join Tottenham, Manchester City lack direct cover for Jeremy Doku on the left wing, though Enzo Maresca could choose to call upon Antoine Semenyo to switch sides, with the likes of Rayan Cherki and Phil Foden possible options to replace the Ghanaian on the right.
Jeremy Monga, 16, signed from Leicester City for £10 million, could also make his Premier League debut after impressing on Manchester City's pre-season tour of Hong Kong and South Korea.
City need urgent reinforcements in attack and midfield before the September 1 transfer deadline, having agreed an £85 million package deal to sell Savinho to Tottenham, with all eyes on director of football Hugo Viana and co. operating behind the scenes at the Etihad Stadium.