Manchester City face a nervous wait on three key players as they build up to the return of the Premier League.
City have been rocked by the guilty verdict in the 115 case against the Premier League and, although they are appealing that decision, it looms large over the club.
Title race and injury concerns
On the pitch, Enzo Maresca's side are top of the table after five wins from five ahead of Sunday's showdown against Liverpool at Anfield. But both teams could be missing key men after injuries struck.
The increased international break was always likely to lead to more concerns from club managers about workload, with stars potentially playing four Nations League matches in 10 days. Those concerns have borne out with several significant withdrawals across the top-flight.
Haaland and City duo in doubt
City's biggest concern surrounds Erling Haaland, who was replaced in Norway's defeat to Portugal on Sunday night. The substitution was put down to fatigue instead of any known injury, and City will hope the striker will be fit for the weekend trip to Merseyside.
Nico O'Reilly and Antonio Semenyo also left their international camps early, with the latter managing a leg injury while O'Reilly left after sustaining a knock in training having played in the Nations League opener against Spain.
Maresca will likely offer an update on the City trio in his press conference on Friday, while the Blues will also be without Phil Foden, who will serve the final game of his three-match suspension having been sent off in the Manchester derby last month.
Liverpool's own injury issues
Meanwhile, Liverpool have injury issues of their own amid the new four-game international break. Alexander Isak picked up a thigh problem while he was away with Sweden, and Cody Gakpo returned early from duty with the Netherlands.
While neither injury is thought to be serious, the long-term absence of Hugo Ekitike means Andoni Iraloa will be desperate not to lose further striker options. Liverpool remain without long-term injury absentees Conor Bradley and Giovanni Leoni, while Federico Chiesa has yet to see a minute of action this term.
