Manchester City have solidified their challenge for honours on all fronts with a run of eight wins across all competitions.
Pep Guardiola's men are Arsenal's closest rivals as the Premier League approaches its halfway point. They are well-placed for a top-eight finish in the UEFA Champions League League phase and have reached the semifinals of the Carabao Cup.
In contrast to their mid-season collapse last year, City have managed to keep major injury absences to a minimum, and key midfielder Rodri returned to the bench for the 2-1 win at Nottingham Forest on December 27 following his latest setback.
Here is how their injury list looks, when they can expect players to return, and what their predicted lineup looks like for their next game.
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Man City injury list
Below is the latest injury picture for Manchester City, and estimated return dates for those who are sidelined.
Jeremy Doku
- Injury: Muscular
- Expected return date: January 1
Doku enjoyed a superb first few months of this season and impressed at Real Madrid, only to conclude that match with a muscular problem.
The Belgium winger has not featured since but may be in a position to return to the matchday squad for the New Year' Day trip to Sunderland.
Oscar Bobb
- Injury: Hamstring
- Expected return date: January
Bobb started the season as City's first choice on the right wing but has fallen from favour. A chance to enjoy some game time in the Carabao Cup quarterfinal against Brentford was curtailed by a hamstring injury.
A return at some point in January is expected, although the Norway winger has been linked with a move away from City amid the club's reported pursuit of Bournemouth star Antoine Semenyo.
John Stones
- Injury: Leg
- Expected return date: January 1
England defender Stones has been peripheral in the Premier League this season but had started four of five Champions League matches prior to the trip to Real Madrid in December.
He came on in midfield during the unhinged 5-4 win at Fulham on December 2 and has not featured since. Stones is nursing an unspecified leg injury and was expected to return at some stage during the festive fixtures.
Mateo Kovacic
- Injury: Heel/ankle
- Expected return date: February/March 2026
Croatia midfielder Kovacic underwent Achilles surgery over the summer but has suffered a serious setback.
After the 3-1 win over Bournemouth on November 2, Guardiola said the former Chelsea player would be "out for a while".
"He still has a problem with the ankle, a little calcification still there. We'll wait on him for the last part of the season," the City boss added. Croatian newspaper Sportske Novosti confirmed the news and said Kovacic's recovery was likely to take three to four months.
Unavailable: Omar Marmoush, Rayan Ait-Nouri
Marmoush and Ait-Nouri are away at the Africa Cup of Nations and will not return until at least early January.
Man City predicted lineup vs. Sunderland
Here is the projected starting lineup for when City travel to Sunderland on January 1.
Formation: 4-3-2-1
Donnarumma (GK)
Nunes, Dias, Gvardiol, O'Reilly
Silva, Nico, Reijnders
Cherki, Foden
Haaland
Man City fixture schedule: Next five games
City have three more league games before the FA Cup third-round match against Exeter City. That game will give Guardiola a chance to rotate a very settled lineup prior to the first leg of a Carabao Cup semifinal at Newcastle.
- Sunderland vs. Man City | Premier League | Thursday, January 1
- Man City vs. Chelsea | Premier League | Sunday, January 4
- Man City vs. Brighton | Premier League | Wednesday, January 7
- Man City vs. Exeter City | FA Cup (3rd round) | Saturday, January 10
- Newcastle vs. Man City | Carabao Cup (semifinal) | Tuesday, January 13