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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
Sport
Matt Verri

Man City injury update: Erling Haaland, Jeremy Doku and Kevin De Bruyne latest news and return dates

Pep Guardiola will be keen to have his forward options boosted by returning stars as Man City look to steady their season.

A four-match winless run in the Premier League came to an end against Luton over the weekend, but it was not hugely convincing as City were forced to come from behind at Kenilworth Road.

The injury situation at the club has eased somewhat recently, with the likes of John Stones and Mateo Kovacic back fit and available, but there remain problems for Guardiola to contend with.

Erling Haaland and Jeremy Doku are currently on the sidelines, while Kevin De Bruyne is still on the road to recovery from a long-term issue.

City face a hectic few weeks, with a trip to Saudi Arabia for the Club World Cup to come before Christmas.

Jack Grealish scored the winner for Man City against Luton (Getty Images)

Erling Haaland

Erling Haaland was ruled out of his side's win over Luton with what his manager described as a "bone stress reaction".

The striker picked up the foot injury during last week's defeat to Aston Villa and while he is expected to miss upcoming matches against Red Star Belgrade and Crystal Palace, Haaland could be available to feature in the Club World Cup later this month.

“He was not ready today, I don’t think so for Crystal Palace but hopefully he can be ready in Saudi Arabia,” Guardiola said on Sunday. “Week by week will dictate how he feels.”

“The day after [the Villa match] he almost could not walk properly. Yesterday I spoke with him and he said he was feeling much, much better, that he could walk without pain.

"The doctor says we have to see week by week, day by day how it will get better. Maybe he will be ready for Crystal Palace, I don’t think so but we will see.”

Potential return date: December 19, Club World Cup semi-final

Erling Haaland could feature at the Club World Cup (AFP via Getty Images)

Jeremy Doku

After being forced off early in the second-half against Tottenham, Jeremy Doku has missed subsequent matches against Aston Villa and Luton.

It is a muscle injury that is keeping Doku out, one Guardiola has insisted is not a "big, big issue", but City are keen to not take any risks with the winger's fitness and he is a doubt for the Club World Cup.

"We have to think about it as well because he of his explosiveness," the City boss said.

"We have to be careful. I don’t know when he be ready, maybe one week or two weeks he will be ready again."

Potential return date: December 27, Premier League vs Everton

Jeremy Doku has missed the last two matches for Man City (AFP via Getty Images)

Kevin De Bruyne

City have been without Kevin De Bruyne since he limped off on the opening night of the Premier League season against Burnley with a hamstring.

The Belgian is now nearing a comeback, returning to light individual training, and while he has previously suggested that a return in January was the most likely outcome, City have named him in the squad to travel to Saudi Arabia next week.

Guardiola has now ruled him out of the Club World Cup, but admitted it could be a "bit early" and it is still likely that De Bruyne is not back in action until early next month.

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