Manchester City endured a difficult weekend as they gave up a narrow early lead to lose 2-1 to Brighton.
But there were off-pitch concerns, too, as it was confirmed that Rayan Cherki is set to spend months on the sidelines after contracting a thigh injury.
He joins an extensive list of City absentees, which also includes his fellow forwards Phil Foden and Savinho, who also missed the trip to the south coast.
Pep Guardiola will be holding out hope to have a group of returnees when his squad return to training after the international break.
Here’s all the latest Man City injury news...
Rayan Cherki
Rayan Cherki, newly signed this summer from Lyon, was the most notable new absence as City faced Brighton.
But City fans may need to get used to his name being missing from the team sheet, as he is due to miss two months with a thigh injury.
That could see him miss as many as ten games, including three Champions League outings.
City visit Aston Villa exactly eight weeks on from the Brighton match, so that date can be pencilled in as a potential return for the Frenchman, though fans will have to wait for a more refined prognosis.
Potential return date: Aston Villa (a) on Sunday, October 26, 2025
Phil Foden
Phil Foden missed City’s final pre-season outing with an ankle injury, but returned to the pitch last week against Spurs.
He missed out on the matchday squad in Brighton, though, with Guardiola confirming he was ‘not fully fit’.
It is hoped he will be back in contention after focusing on his recovery during the international break.
Potential return date: Manchester United (h) on Sunday, September 14, 2025
Abdukodir Khusanov
City’s Uzbek defender was withdrawn from the Brighton clash with a minor knock, but Pep Guardiola was quick to allay any worries that he could be set for an extended absence.
He said at full-time that the player would be fit to return immediately after the international break.
Potential return date: Manchester United (h) on Sunday, September 14, 2025
Savinho
The Brazilian has been absent since City faced Palermo in pre-season, and Guardiola told the press in August that he would be out for ‘a few weeks’.
It had been hoped that he would return in time for Sunday’s trip to Brighton, but he will now have to wait until after the international break, when he could come back into a Manchester derby.
Potential return date: Manchester United (h) on Sunday, September 14, 2025
Josko Gvardiol
The formidable Croatian defender was again absent from City’s trip to the AmEx Community Stadium.
Coincidentally, he was also sidelined as City lost to Tottenham in their previous outing.
He has a minor injury of unknown origin and should be fit to return after the international break.
Potential return date: Manchester United (h) on Sunday, September 14, 2025
Mateo Kovacic
The Croatian had surgery on an Achilles problem ahead of the Club World Cup, and has not made a competitive appearance since completing 66 minutes in a 3-1 Premier League win over Bournemouth at the end of May.
He’s likely to be a long-term absentee. Guardiola said ahead of the start of the season: “We have three [defensive midfielders], I would say, with Kova injured until September or October - hopefully earlier.”
Potential return date: Burnley (h) on Saturday, September 27, 2025
