Jeremy Doku will miss City’s Premier League opener against Bournemouth on Sunday after suffering a calf injury in the Community Shield.
Enzo Maresca confirmed on Friday that the Belgium winger is expected to be out for two to three weeks.
Doku started City’s 3-0 defeat against Arsenal last weekend but was replaced at half-time after reporting discomfort in his calf.
“Unfortunately, in the last game at half-time he was complaining about a calf pain,” Maresca said.
The City manager expects the absence to be relatively short, putting the likely recovery time at “2-3 weeks, no more than that”.
Doku will therefore sit out Maresca’s first Premier League match in charge when Bournemouth visit the Etihad Stadium on Sunday.
Nunes available for Bournemouth
Matheus Nunes, meanwhile, is available again.
The Portugal international had been due to start against Arsenal in the Community Shield but was withdrawn after suffering an injury during the warm-up.
“At the moment, the only one [unavailable] is Jeremy Doku,” Maresca said.
“Then Matheus [Nunes] is back. Jeremy, but the rest are all okay.”
Maresca therefore has an otherwise available squad for the opening league game of the season.
Doku’s absence comes shortly after he signed a new City contract running until 2031.
A two-to-three-week lay-off could also rule him out of the trip to Newcastle next weekend, although his recovery will determine exactly when he returns.
For now, City will begin the new Premier League season without him.
For updates on City throughout the season, take a look at our LIVE! Premier League 2026 / 27 News, Transfers, Updates & Viral Moments page.
