Blues head to Portugal shorthanded but upbeat

City's Champions League campaign gets underway at Porto tonight with two familiar faces missing from the travelling party. Nico O'Reilly and Jérémy Doku have both stayed behind, the pair left out of the 22-man squad as the Blues look to make a winning start in Europe.

The absences are not quite what they seem, though. Enzo Maresca used his pre-match press conference in Portugal on Monday night to offer some genuinely encouraging news on both players — and, in O'Reilly's case at least, the picture for Sunday looks reasonably clear.

O'Reilly close to derby return

O'Reilly's issue stems from Saturday's meeting with Coventry City. Named in the starting XI, the 21-year-old withdrew during the warm-up after feeling something in his back and has not travelled to Porto as a result.

Maresca was quick to play the problem down, describing it as "not serious". Asked whether O'Reilly might be available for the trip to Old Trafford on Sunday, the City boss replied: "Nico probably yes."

For a player who had been expected to feature prominently this season, that counts as a relief.

Doku closing in but Porto comes too soon

Doku's situation is a little more complicated. The Belgian has not featured since suffering a calf problem in the Community Shield defeat against Arsenal three weeks ago, a setback that has already cost him City's opening three Premier League games.

He has been left out of the squad for tonight's European tie, though Maresca confirmed the winger is making progress. Whether that progress extends to Sunday remains uncertain.

"Jeremy got injured in the Community Shield. That's three weeks ago."

A return against Manchester United is possible, but Maresca stopped short of committing. We should know more on Friday, when the City boss is due to speak to the media again at 1.30pm.

Double availability boost in midfield

There is better news elsewhere in the squad. Matheus Nunes has travelled to Portugal after recovering from his recent fitness problem and told reporters on Monday that he now feels "100% fit", having been named among the substitutes against Coventry.

There was also a brief scare involving debutant Ndiaye on Saturday, who required treatment before being replaced by Ryan McAidoo after 87 minutes. The youngster quickly moved to ease any concerns.

"No, no [nothing serious]. A little bit of cramp."

Ndiaye is in the squad for tonight's game, meaning Maresca has both him and Nunes available as City look to make a statement in Portugal.