Man City full injury list and expected return dates with Man Utd clash on the horizon

Manchester City return to Premier League action next weekend with a huge clash against local rivals Manchester United.

The Premier League champions shouldn’t have too many injury concerns for the derby, unless any untimely niggles present themselves during the international break.

Prior to the brief hiatus in the campaign, the Blues beat Wolverhampton Wanderers 3-0 to wrap up the first stretch of 2022/23. Despite City’s impressive start to the season, there have been several injury issues for Pep Guardiola to contend with.

The likes of Nathan Ake, John Stones and Jack Grealish have all suffered from knocks in recent weeks but have subsequently recovered.

However, three players were absent for City ahead of the international break. Below, we’ve got the latest on the trio and when they are likely to return to the team.

Aymeric Laporte

Underwent surgery in the summer on a knee issue and has not featured so far this season. However, Guardiola recently said the defender should be back after the international break and he has returned to full-contact training.

Expected return: Mid-October

Kyle Walker

The full-back picked up a knock in the 1-1 draw with Aston Villa at the start of the month and hasn’t played since.

He was deemed fit enough to take a place on the bench in the win over Wolves, but didn’t play. Walker has also been called up to the latest England squad and has been pictured in training, indicating he should be available when club football returns.

Expected return: 2 October

Kalvin Phillips

The only long-term issue with the City squad. Guardiola revealed after the Wolves match that Phillips is expected to undergo surgery to address an ongoing shoulder issue.

“[It’s a] problem with his shoulder again, maybe he will need surgery [in the] next days,” said the City boss. “Now, he will be [out] not long, but a little bit longer. It’s every time it’s [the shoulder] out and out. The doctors say when you go out three or four times, the shoulder, the only solution is surgery.”

Guardiola also said he thinks Phillips still has a chance of being fit in time for the World Cup which begins in late November, an opinion that implies the midfielder could return to the City team in the weeks prior to the tournament.

Expected return: Early November