Man City Injury List: Players Out, Potential Return Dates, Predicted Lineup For Next Game Vs. Brighton

Man City injury list: Players out, potential return dates, predicted lineup for next game vs. Brighton originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Manchester City slipped six points behind leaders Arsenal in the Premier League title race

Pep Guardiola’s men were Arsenal’s closest rivals as the Premier League raced past the halfway point. They are well-placed for a top-eight finish in the UEFA Champions League League phase and have reached the semifinals of the Carabao Cup.

In contrast to their mid-season collapse last year, City managed to keep major injury absences to a minimum, and key midfielder Rodri has returned at a pivotal moment in the season. However, just as things began to look up, they’ve suffered a few major fitness issues and now must reassess their position as the January transfer window builds momentum.

Here is how their injury list looks, when they can expect players to return, and what their predicted lineup looks like for their next game.

MORE: Antoine Semenyo’s best fit for a January transfer | Does top at Christmas mean the title?

Man City injury list

Below is the latest injury picture for Manchester City, and estimated return dates for those who are sidelined.

Josko Gvardiol

Expected return date: Out for season

Man City suffered a brutal blow in the 1-1 draw with Chelsea, as the opening match of 2026 brought with it terrible news. Defender Josko Gvardiol, who has been a pillar of consistency for City in recent seasons, went down in the second half with a tibia fracture, confirmed by the club the following day.

City confirmed that Gvardiol underwent surgery for the broken leg. While there is very little known at this point about a potential timeline for Gvardiol’s return, it is believed to require a long-term recovery, and it’s possible he will miss the remainder of the 2025/26 season.

Ruben Dias

Expected return date: February

Josko Gvardiol wasn’t the only casualty of the 1-1 draw with Chelsea, as Ruben Dias also found himself withdrawn before full-time. Guardiola said he is facing between four and six weeks out of action.

Nico Gonzalez

Expected return date: January 7 (vs. Brighton)

Gonzalez was substituted at halftime of the Sunderland draw, and Guardiola appeared wary of rushing him back for the Chelsea game when he spoke to the media afterwards. He could be held back for the midweek clash with Brighton, particularly if Rodri is able to start against Chelsea.

Savinho

Expected return date: TBD

Guardiola said the injury to Savinho “does not look good” after the winger had to exit early in the draw at Sunderland. Further tests will be needed to determine his recovery timeline.

Oscar Bobb

Expected return date: January 10 (vs. Exeter)

Bobb started the season as City’s first choice on the right wing but has fallen from favour. A chance to enjoy some game time in the Carabao Cup quarterfinal against Brentford was curtailed by a hamstring injury.

A return at some point in January is expected, perhaps in the FA Cup against Exeter City, although the Norway winger has been linked with a move away from City amid the club’s pursuit of Bournemouth star Antoine Semenyo.

John Stones

Expected return date: February

England defender Stones has been peripheral in the Premier League this season but had started four of five Champions League matches prior to the trip to Real Madrid in December.

He came on in midfield during the unhinged 5-4 win at Fulham on December 2 and has not featured since. Stones is nursing an unspecified leg injury and was expected to return at some stage during the festive fixtures, but Guardiola said on January 6 that he has “no idea” when Stones will be back.

Mateo Kovacic

Expected return date: February/March 2026

Croatia midfielder Kovacic underwent Achilles surgery over the summer but has suffered a serious setback.

After the 3-1 win over Bournemouth on November 2, Guardiola said the former Chelsea player would be “out for a while”.

“He still has a problem with the ankle, a little calcification still there. We’ll wait on him for the last part of the season,” the City boss added. Croatian newspaper Sportske Novosti confirmed the news and said Kovacic’s recovery was likely to take three to four months.

Unavailable: Omar Marmoush, Rayan Ait-Nouri

Marmoush and Ait-Nouri are away at the Africa Cup of Nations and will not return until at least next week.

Man City predicted lineup vs. Brighton

Formation: 4-1-4-1

Donnarumma (GK)

Nunes, Khusanov, Ake, O’Reilly

Rodri

Cherki, Foden, Reijnders, Doku

Haaland

Man City fixture schedule: Next five games

City’s next five games feature matches across four competitions. After Brighton, they take on League One Exeter in the third round of the FA Cup

Man City vs. Brighton | Premier League | Wednesday, January 7
Man City vs. Exeter City | FA Cup (3rd round) | Saturday, January 10
Newcastle vs. Man City | Carabao Cup (semifinal) | Tuesday, January 13
Man United vs. Man City | Premier League | Saturday, January 17
Bodo/Glimt vs. Man City | UEFA Champions League | Tuesday, January 20

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