Manchester City's quest for a domestic quadruple has suffered a significant setback as starlet winger Jeremy Doku was forced off with a leg injury during their Carabao Cup quarter-final match against Brentford. The Belgian winger, who has been in impressive form this season, was absent from the team that defeated Crystal Palace 3-0 in the Premier League on Sunday after picking up the injury.
Manager Pep Guardiola confirmed the news, stating that Doku is expected to be sidelined for around two to three weeks. This timeline suggests that Doku could miss the entire festive period, including crucial Premier League matches against West Ham and Nottingham Forest, as well as their first game of the new year against Sunderland. Guardiola expressed his disappointment, acknowledging that the team would miss Doku's quality, but voiced confidence in the other players to step up in his absence.
The injury to Doku compounds City's existing injury concerns, with key players John Stones and Rodri also currently sidelined. Stones is nursing a thigh injury, while Rodri is recovering from a hamstring issue. Guardiola is taking a cautious approach with Rodri's recovery, ensuring he is not rushed back into contention after a previous ACL injury. Midfielder Mateo Kovacic is also expected to be out for a few months with an ankle issue.
With a congested December schedule, Guardiola faces a selection dilemma as he aims to navigate both the Premier League and the Carabao Cup. He hinted at rotating the squad, giving opportunities to players who have not featured as regularly, as well as potentially calling upon some academy players. Despite the injury setbacks, Guardiola affirmed the importance of the Carabao Cup, stating that the team would strive to reach the semi-finals. However, he also acknowledged that the priority is to manage the squad effectively and avoid further injuries during this demanding period.
The absence of Doku, Stones, and Rodri will undoubtedly test Manchester City's squad depth and resilience. However, with a wealth of talent at his disposal, Guardiola will be confident that his team can overcome these challenges and maintain their pursuit of silverware on all fronts. City will face West Ham next in the Premier League on December 20, followed by a match against Nottingham Forest on December 27. Their first game in the new year will be against Sunderland.
