Manchester City’s early injury crisis

Manchester City's Spanish manager Pep Guardiola reacts on the touchline during the English Premier League football match between Manchester City and Leicester City at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, north west England, on September 27, 2020. (Photo by Catherine Ivill / POOL / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo by CATHERINE IVILL/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
Manchester City's Spanish manager Pep Guardiola reacts on the touchline during the English Premier League football match between Manchester City and Leicester City at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, north west England, on September 27, 2020. (Photo by Catherine Ivill / POOL / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo by CATHERINE IVILL/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

As Manchester City’s senior men’s team returns from the October 2020 international break, there are concerns about the fitness of City’s players. The Sky Blues are facing an injury crisis.

Leading up to the October 2020 international break, Manchester City players Sergio Agüero, Gabriel Jesus, John Stones, and Oleksandr Zinchenko were sidelined due to injury. Raheem Sterling withdrew from international duty, citing a minor injury. Kevin De Bruyne withdrew from the Belgian squad midway through the international break as a precaution (it has now been revealed that he will be out for a few weeks). João Cancelo also picked up a knock while competing with Portugal.

Meanwhile, İlkay Gündoğan, who recently contracted the coronavirus, has distanced himself from the first team.

Manchester City have been hit with an early injury crisis. During the opening few matches of the 2020/21 season, City manager Pep Guardiola had to include several of City’s younger players to fill his bench. Liam Delap and Cole Palmer were particularly called upon for first-team action during City’s Carabao Cup matches.

More from Man City News

City did receive some positive information during Guardiola’s recent press conference, however. Agüero, Sterling, and Cancelo will be fully fit for City’s match against Arsenal on Saturday. In addition, Aymeric Laporte, İlkay Gündoğan, Benjamin Mendy, Fernandinho, Zack Steffen, Scott Carson, Philippe Sandler, Phil Foden, and Patrick Roberts did not travel with their respective national teams, meaning City will have additional players available.

Overall, City were dealt an early blow to the start of the season. With the return of some first-team players, will the Sky Blues be able to make up some of the ground that they lost during the start of the season?