Manchester City manager Enzo Maresca has handed an update on Jeremy Doku's fitness ahead of Thursday night's Carabao Cup third round tie against Norwich City.
Jeremy Doku has missed the opening weeks of the season with a calf injury.More Videos
Doku went off at half-time in Manchester City's 3-0 defeat to Arsenal in the Community Shield in August, missing the first month of the Blues' first season under Enzo Maresca.
Since joining from Rennes in 2023, Doku enjoyed his best season at the Etihad Stadium last term, scoring eight goals and supplying 14 assists in 47 appearances in all competitions in Pep Guardiola's final season at the Etihad Stadium.
The winger penned a fresh five-year contract this summer as Manchester City sporting director Hugo Viana rewarded Doku for his improvement and newfound importance in the first-team squad.
Antoine Semenyo has made a strong start to the season, operating largely on the left wing in Doku's absence, while Phil Foden has been deployed on the right side under Maresca.
Maresca said Doku was close to a return to action for City's 1-0 derby win over Manchester United last week, though the 24-year-old did not travel across town as Erling Haaland's controversial winner sealed three vital points at Old Trafford.
Speaking in a press conference on Wednesday afternoon, Maresca confirmed that Doku is "quite close" to returning to the pitch, which could mean Thursday night's cup tie against Norwich City could also come too soon for the Belgium international.
"We are happy, he's quite close," said Maresca on Doku's fitness.
Will Doku Feature Against Norwich City?
It is unlikely that Doku is risked for a cup tie with bigger fish to fry for City in the weeks that precede the upcoming international break.
Maresca is expected to use Thursday's game to shuffle his pack and give minutes to those who have been patient and waiting for their opportunity in the opening weeks of the season.
Geronimo Rulli, Rico Lewis, Mateo Kovacic, Ayyoub Bouaddi and Abdukodir Khusanov could all come in as City rest their best players, having made a perfect start to the 2026/27 season so far.
Enzo Fernandez and Elliot Anderson starred in midfield in the weekend triumph against Manchester United and could use a day off ahead of Sunday's Premier League fixture against Sunderland at the Etihad Stadium.
Doku returned to full first-team training a few weeks ago but for a player prone to muscle injuries and holding great importance in the Manchester City frontline, Maresca and his coaching staff will be very careful in phasing the forward into action.
Ryan McAidoo, Kaden Braithwaite and Floyd Samba will also play some part against Norwich City, Maresca has confirmed, as City look to maintain their winning streak under Maresca and progress to the Carabao Cup fourth round.