The manager of the Algerian National Team, Vladimir Petkovic, has just made it clear just how serious the injury Rayan Ait-Nouri suffered during Manchester City vs Tottenham really is.
Ait-Nouri joined Man City during the summer as part of a £34m deal with Wolves, and after impressing on his debut against his old club, the left-back’s home debut did not go to plan as he picked up an injury during the first half against Tottenham.
After the Spurs match, Pep Guardiola said he did not know how serious the full-back’s issue was as he had not spoken to the doctors yet.
There has been no update on Ait-Nouri since, ahead of Man City’s trip to Brighton; however, Petkovic has made it clear whether the 24-year-old will play in Algeria’s upcoming matches.
Rayan Ait-Nouri down injured during a Premier League clash between Manchester City and Tottenham
Photo by DARREN STAPLES/AFP via Getty Images
Rayan Ait-Nouri expected to be fit for Brighton vs Man City
Algeria will play Botswana and Guinea during the upcoming international break as the African giants continue their 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign, which has been going very well so far.
Petkovic has included Ait-Nouri in his squad for the two games, and the manager of Les Fennecs has made it clear that Man City plan to play the left-back against Brighton on Sunday.
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“Ait-Nouri had an injury. The doctors said it’s not serious. He has trained to join the group. Man City plan to have him play in the next match,” Petkovic said via Dean Ammi.
🚨🇩🇿 Petkovic on Ait-Nouri’s injury:
🗣️ “Ait-Nouri had an injury. The doctors said it’s not serious. He has trained to join the group. Man City plan to have him play in the next match.” pic.twitter.com/mKFMz0DaD8
— Dean Ammi (@AlgerianFooty) August 28, 2025
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This is huge news for Guardiola as Ait-Nouri was crucial in Man City’s win over Wolves, and it would have been a big blow if the 24-year-old was out for a long time.
The City manager will clear up Ait-Nouri’s situation even further when he speaks to the press ahead of the Brighton clash on Friday, but Petkovic’s comments are an indication that the defender’s issue is not a serious one.
Manchester City’s current injury list
Ait-Nouri is one player Guardiola doesn’t have to worry about ahead of Man City’s trip to Brighton, but the Manchester club will still be without several stars for their trip to the Amex.
Savinho will not be back in action until after the international break, after Guardiola confirmed the winger would be out for a few weeks ahead of City’s opening game against Wolves.
The Citizens will also be without Mateo Kovacic, who is still recovering from the surgery he had this summer, while the fitness of his international teammate, Josko Gvardiol, remains unknown.
The Croatian defender has returned to training with the rest of the Man City squad, so the centre-back is expected to get some minutes against Brighton this weekend.