Man City vs Fulham team & injury news - five ruled out, two doubts and one set to return

Manchester City welcome Fulham to the Etihad Stadium for Saturday’s Premier League clash.

The London side have been perhaps the surprise package of the season so far and are currently seventh in the table. As for the hosts, Pep Guardiola’s men remain second in the table, two points behind Arsenal. But the City boss will be hoping he can call upon the services of Erling Haaland for Saturday’s clash. The striker has missed the last two with a knock he picked up in the draw with Borussia Dortmund last week, but returned to training this week. Speaking in his pre-match press conference, Guardiola said an assessment will be made on the attacker’s fitness after Friday’s training session.

The City boss also revealed Kyle Walker and Kalvin Phillips remain absent through injury, but Manuel Akanji is back following a dead leg he suffered against Leicester City, a problem which prevented him being named in the squad for Wednesday’s win over Sevilla.

As for Fulham, they’re set to be without Bobby De Cordova-Reid after he picked up a fifth booking of the season last time out against Everton. Elsewhere, there was disappointment this week for the Cottagers as it was announced Neeskens Kebano suffered a ruptured Achilles.

Speaking in Thursday’s press conference, Fulham manager Marco Silva said: “Sad, sad news for us as a football club, for us as a group, and personally for me as a manager. Top, top guy, top lad, great professional, and a happy guy.”

Manor Solomon is also missing through injury, but Layvin Kurzawa is back in training and might return this weekend. The 30-year-old, who is on loan from Paris Saint-Germain, has played just 45 minutes this season due to injury.

Ruled out: Walker, Phillips (City); De Cordova-Reid, Kebano, Solomon (Fulham)

Doubtful: Haaland (City); Kurzawa (Fulham)

Returning: Akanji (City)