Blues' injury picture clears ahead of Coventry clash

Matheus Nunes is back in the frame for Manchester City, with Enzo Maresca confirming the Portuguese fullback is available for selection once again.

Nunes has been conspicuous by his absence through the opening exchanges of the 2026/27 campaign. He missed the Community Shield meeting with Arsenal and both league outings against Bournemouth and Crystal Palace, failing to make the matchday squad for any of those fixtures.

Last week the City boss was still preaching caution, suggesting Nunes was not yet at full fitness. But the picture has shifted, and the 28-year-old is now expected to take a seat on the substitutes' bench this weekend as the Blues host Coventry City.

The timing works neatly enough. Saturday's game at the Etihad hands Nunes a gentle reintroduction, with the expectation that he will be back in the mix from that point onward.

Doku's recovery remains a watching brief

The same cannot quite be said for Jeremy Doku. Maresca confirmed the Belgian is still on the treatment table after pulling up with a calf strain during the first half of last month's Community Shield defeat to Arsenal.

Two weeks ago the manager offered a relatively encouraging prognosis, suggesting the winger would be sidelined for no more than two to three weeks. If that timeline holds and there are no setbacks along the way, Doku should be back on the training pitch shortly after the Coventry game.

That would put him in a tight spot for the trip to Old Trafford. The Manchester derby is nine days away, and the Belgian will be desperate to feature. It could go either way.

Sunday 13th September is the date pencilled in for his return, though nobody at the club will be rushing him if he is not ready.

New faces finally through the door

While the medical staff keep busy, Maresca has welcomed some fresh blood. Enzo Fernandez, Iliman Ndiaye and Allan all arrived just before the transfer window slammed shut on Tuesday night, and the trio should be in line for minutes in the coming weeks.

The City boss made no secret of his relief at getting the deals over the line.

'I am very, very happy, from the effort from the ownership, Khaldoon [Al Mubarak], Hugo [Viana]. Iliman [Ndiaye] and Enzo [Fernandez] arrive and the squad is complete. Now it is time to work.'

There is a sense that the squad is finally where the manager wants it. Whether Nunes can force his way into the starting XI and Doku can shake off his injury in time for the derby remains to be seen.