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Doku, Dias, Gonzalez - Man City injury news and return dates after Tottenham worry

Manchester City sealed their spot in the Champions League last 16 with a 2-0 win over Galatasaray but Pep Guardiola's men suffered another injury blow

Manchester City suffered another injury headache on Wednesday night as they defeated Galatasaray 2-0 at the Etihad Stadium. The win means Pep Guardiola's side are one of five Premier League teams in the last 16 of the Champions League.

Goals from Erling Haaland and Rayan Cherki set City on their way, but an injury to Jeremy Doku, who assisted both goals, caused reason for concern. Phil Foden replaced the Belgian in the 37th minute.

City are next in action on Sunday afternoon when they travel to Tottenham Hotspur. With Arsenal dropping points in their last two games, Guardiola's men will be hoping to close the gap at the top of the Premier League.

OPINION

OPINION

Here, the Manchester Evening News takes a look at the latest City injury news and return dates ahead of the trip to north London...

Jeremy Doku

Doku dropped to the turf just after the half-hour mark at the Etihad Stadium before being replaced by Foden. The 23-year-old came into the starting XI for the first time in three games after coming off the bench against Wolves.

"It's a big miss [once he goes off]. Jeremy is an important player for so many reasons. We'll see," said Guardiola after the game to broadcasters. In his press conference, the City boss' confirmed that the early diagnosis is that he will be unavailable for Tottenham.

"Jeremy has had these muscular problems with the demands and his efforts. Hopefully in March he can be ready to help us. He was exceptional in Madrid and in Norway he could not play for the injury that everyone knows what happened in Old Trafford. Unfortunately he's not ready for a few more days."

Possible return date: Newcastle (H) - Wednesday 4 February

Nico Gonzalez

After being Rodri's replacement for the first half of the season, Gonzalez has been forced to spend time out of action after picking up an injury. He was forced off in the draw against Sunderland before returning against Brighton the week after.

The midfielder hadn't been seen since, but against Galatasaray, he replaced Cherki in the 82nd minute and helped City see out the game.

Possible return date: Returned

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Ruben Dias

In the 1-1 draw against Chelsea, Dias was taken off as a precautionary measure and replaced by Nathan Ake. The centre-back has missed every game since with a hamstring injury.

A return in February is expected, with City in action seven times next month.

Possible return date: February

Josko Gvardiol

Like Dias, Gvardiol suffered a broken leg in the draw against Chelsea at the start of the year. It was confirmed that the 23-year-old would have surgery on a fractured tibia.

As a result of his long-term absence, City signed Marc Guehi from Crystal Palace to strengthen Guardiola's options in defence.

Possible return date: Unknown.

Savinho

The Brazilian has been out with a quad problem since the draw at Sunderland over the festive period. Like Gvardiol, his injury forced City to bring in a new face in the January transfer window, with Antoine Semenyo purchased from AFC Bournemouth.

Guardiola has provided few updates on his return, but he previously said he would miss at least six weeks, suggesting a return early next month is likely.

Possible return date: February.

Mateo Kovacic

The only long-term absentee at City, Kovacic has been out with an ankle injury since November. It's understood that his recovery is progressing well and a return in March is possible.

Possible return date: March.

Oscar Bobb

Winger Bobb has been strongly linked with a permanent move to Fulham this January and was left out of the squad against Galatasaray. He last appeared for City in the 2-0 win over Brentford in the Carabao Cup before Christmas.

Manchester City were beaten 2-0 by Tottenham at the Etihad as their bright start to the Premier League season stalled.

Manchester City saw their opening day optimism punctured as they were beaten 2-0 by Tottenham Hotspur at the Etihad Stadium.

Pep Guardiola's side had shown signs of being back to their imperious best in thrashing Wolves 4-0 last week, but they returned to Earth with a bump after being comfortably beaten by Spurs.

City went behind when Brennan Johnson rounded off a slick counterattack and they doubled that advantage before the break. James Trafford was at fault as his poor pass allowed Joao Palhinha to score from close range.

The Blues produced a flat second half as they struggled to muster a reponse and they never threatened to reel in Thomas Frank's side.

Cherki's impact

A pattern is already emerging in Rayan Cherki's brief Manchester City career. As a substitute against Al-Ain, Al-Hilal and Wolves, he has looked electric. Two goals and an assist in 63 minutes sum up his impact in those games.

He has been introduced and lit up proceedings with his close control, his ability to manoeuvre the ball and that two-footedness that leaves defenders guessing as to his next move.

But throw him in from the start and it's a different story. That conjuror's bags of tricks is harder to open from the get go by the looks of things and this was an ineffectual 54 minutes before he was replaced by Bernardo Silva.

Cherki was given the keys to the attack as the No. 10, in shirt number and position, but he struggled to create and was bypassed for much of the game. He might be back to that super sub role at Brighton next week.

Toure celebrates

Kolo Toure is a bubbling ball of enthusiasm on the touchline and while Guardiola and Pep Lijnders try and work on the tactical detail, it is often Toure who is cajoling players and jumping up and down.

He clearly has plenty of passion and when the flag went up after Brennan Johnson's first-half goal the former City centre-back raised both arms in the air in celebration, presumably at the joy of the goal being ruled out for an offside plan coming off.

But that joy was short lived. After the first replay Thomas Frank's staff were giving the thumbs up to Tottenham players on the pitch and Toure was suddenly sat down fearing the worst.

He has plenty to offer in this new coaching set-up and as frustrating as it might have been to have his celebration cut short, he is a watchable presence on the touchline.

Haaland turns provider

It's no surprise that Omar Marmoush and Erling Haaland can play together, having done so several times last season. It was often in this shape as well, with the Egyptian starting on the left and drifting into dangerous positions, with Haaland stationed as the No. 9.

In the first half against Tottenham it was Marmoush that found the space, however, firing off three shots while Haaland struggled to find space to threaten in the area. Marmoush almost scored from a tight angle and then stung the palms of Guglielmo Vicario with a drive from distance.

But his third chance was the best and it came from superb work from Haaland, who picked the ball up wide on the right and used a combination of force and skill to get infield, before playing a lovely pass through the defence for Marmoush. He should have scored that chance, but instead saw it saved by Vicario again.

Selection hints

With City's transfer window there was nearly as much fascination in the teamsheet landing as there was in the football starting and again those selections dropped a few hints.

The absence of Manuel Akjanji and Ilkay Gundogan from the matchday 20 was another message to both that their time is up and they should look to move on over the next week.

Equally as interesting was the decision to put Ederson on the bench and keep faith with James Trafford. Guardiola made it clear before and after the win against Wolves that the Brazilian was still his No. 1, but this suggested otherwise.

Where does that leave Ederson? PSG gave Gianluigi Donnarumma a big send-off on Friday even though the Italian doesn't appear to have a move sorted out. Do they know something we don't?

Manchester United will face Ange Postecoglou's Tottenham Hotspur in the Europa League final in Bilbao

Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou has already issued a warning to Manchester United ahead of their Europa League final clash.

The two Premier League sides will face off in Bilbao on May 21, with a spot in next season’s Champions League up for grabs. In the 4-1 win over Athletic Bilbao, Mason Mount grabbed a brace to mark his first goals at Old Trafford since joining the club from Chelsea in 2023.

Casemiro and Rasmus Hojlund were also on the scoresheet on the night to record 7-1 on aggregate. Meanwhile, Tottenham sealed a 2-0 victory (5-1 on aggregate) against Bodo/Glimt in Norway, courtesy of Dominic Solanke and Pedro Porro.

Spurs have reached a European final for the first time since the 2018/19 season, when they suffered a 2-0 defeat to Liverpool as Jugen Klopp's side lifted the Champions League trophy. After a challenging season for both Ruben Amorim and Postecoglou, each manager now has the opportunity to secure his first trophy with their respective club.

However, Postecoglou has previously cautioned that he typically starts winning trophies in his second year at a club. After Spurs' 1-0 defeat to Arsenal last September, he remarked: "I'll correct myself - I don't usually win things, I always win things in my second year.

"Nothing's changed. I've said it now. I don't say things unless I believe them."

Speaking after the win over Bodo/Glimt in his press-conference, the Australian said: "It's a great opportunity. It's my fourth year in European football, plenty of people have been in European football for longer than I have, they haven't got to a final.

"So you understand it's something that you need to appreciate and I'll certainly do that. I haven't really thought a lot about it, because obviously the focus is on tonight. More importantly, just really pleased for the players and the staff, and particularly our supporters.

"There were a few hundred here tonight who I'm sure will remember this night. And thousands back home. We've given them some real hope and something to dream about, that we can do something special this year. I couldn't care less who's struggling and who's not. I think both us and Manchester United have earned the right to be there. I think we've probably beaten teams who will be in the Champions League next year, on our road to getting there. So looking forward to it, should be a great game."

Postecoglou's comments that he usually wins silverware in his second season at a club come as a stark warning to Amorim and his players ahead of the final - and they will be hoping they can prevent the Australian from doing so in Bilbao on May 21.

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Tottenham Hotspur will be Manchester United's opponents in the Europa League final on May 21 with a place in next season's Champions League on offer to the winner

Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou has angrily responded to a question on whether winning the Europa League against Manchester United would save their season.

Postecoglou's Spurs will face Ruben Amorim's United in the final of Europe's second-tier competition on Wednesday, May 21 (8pm kick-off) in Bilbao. Victory in Spain will seal a lucrative place in next season's Champions League for the winner.

United saw off Athletic Bilbao 4-1 at Old Trafford in their second-leg fixture, 7-1 on aggregate, and will be seeking their second Europa League trophy win after emerging victorious in 2017 under Jose Mourinho. Tottenham, meanwhile, won 2-0 at Bodo/Glimt in their semi-final second-leg tie after a 3-1 victory in the first leg to put them on the cusp of a first major trophy win since the 2008 League Cup.

But when it was pointed out to Postecoglou that United have acknowledged winning the Europa League would not save a disappointing season overall, the former Celtic boss could not hide his anger. "Why do I care what Man Utd think?!" he said in his post-match press conference on Thursday.

"Why is that relevant to me? OK, so ask the Man United manager why he says that. I've said all along that this is important."

On the final, he said: "It's going to upset a lot of people isn't it! The debate's now raging, the latest one is that neither of us will be able to get a trophy if we win, they're just going to take a team photo because we're not worthy.

"I mean, who cares if we're struggling in the league? Why is that important? If it's so easy to get to a final, then why doesn't everyone who finishes in the top three do it? It's a separate thing. It's got nothing to do with league form.

"We understand our league form hasn't been great. We understand the struggles we've had. A lot of them are because of the situation we've been in. But how does that diminish the achievement of getting to a final?

"Like I said, this club and others have finished in first, second or third in the Premier League, and haven't made finals. Why should that be diminished? I couldn't care less who's struggling and who's not.

"I think both us and Manchester United have earned the right to be there. I think we've probably beaten teams who will be in the Champions League next year, on our road to getting there. So looking forward to it, should be a great game."

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