Manchester City’s injury picture has eased since the international break, and this update reflects the squad’s fitness as of 28 September 2026. Supporters searching for the jeremy doku injury return date will find no confirmed timeline yet, though Enzo Maresca has given the clearest picture so far of the Belgian’s recovery. Only one senior player remains sidelined as City head into a big week of fixtures.
Latest Manchester City squad fitness update for September 2026
City go into this week with a largely settled squad. Jeremy Doku is the only senior absentee, which will come as a relief to Maresca with fixtures coming thick and fast. Every other outfield option who has trained this week is considered available.
That group now includes Nico O’Reilly, who has shaken off a troublesome back injury just in time for the busy run of games ahead.
Jeremy Doku calf injury status and ongoing recovery
Doku suffered a calf injury during City’s Community Shield defeat to Arsenal in August 2026 and has not played since. The winger has missed the opening weeks of the Premier League and cup campaign while working through his recovery.
According to Enzo Maresca, the winger’s return still hinges on further recovery time. “Jeremy, I think he needs some more days,” the manager said. No firmer date has been put on his comeback since.
Nico O’Reilly back injury update and return to action
O’Reilly’s situation has moved in a far more positive direction. The versatile defender missed City’s matches against Coventry City and Porto with a back problem that ruled him out of both games.
Before the Manchester derby, Maresca declared O’Reilly fully available for selection against Manchester United. That confidence was repaid. O’Reilly came off the bench late in Sunday’s derby win, replacing Enzo Fernandez as City saw off their neighbours.
Jeremy Doku injury return date: When will the winger play again?
There is still no confirmed jeremy doku injury return date. Maresca’s comment that Doku “needs some more days” remains the closest the club has come to a timeline, and no specific match has been ruled in or out for his comeback.
The calf injury has kept him sidelined since the Community Shield in August, and his recovery appears to be progressing steadily, based on what the club has shared. Until Maresca gives a firmer update, any specific return date should be treated as unconfirmed.
What happens next for Manchester City
City turn to cup action on Thursday, hosting Norwich City in the Carabao Cup as they look to reach the next round. Supporters can check the full lineup against Norwich City once Maresca names his side.
Sunday brings a return to Premier League business, with Sunderland visiting the Etihad. Our preview of the Sunderland match covers team news and the head to head record.
For the rest of the campaign, see the full 2026/27 fixture list. This update follows on from City’s original injury tracker report published earlier this month.
