Manchester City return to Premier League action this afternoon when they host Bournemouth at the Etihad Stadium. The fixture marks the first time Enzo Maresca has led the Blues in the top flight, and he is expected to be welcomed warmly by supporters. Ahead of the game, the head coach will have been considering which players are available.
Doku sidelined with calf injury
Jeremy Doku is set for a spell on the sidelines after picking up a calf problem during the Community Shield defeat in Cardiff. The Belgian winger started the match but was replaced at half-time by Jack Grealish. When he re-emerged to take his spot on the bench, Doku could be seen with an ice pack strapped to his calf.
In his pre-match press conference on Friday, Maresca said: "Unfortunately in the last game at half-time he was complaining about pain in his calf. The idea with him anyway was to play 45 minutes so the change was planned but, at the moment, it looks like two or three weeks." His potential return date is September 5 against Coventry.
Nunes and Marmoush fit to face Bournemouth
Matheus Nunes was named on the bench last weekend, but just before the teams headed out onto the pitch, he was replaced by Vitor Reis. TNT Sports claimed the full-back was being 'consoled' by medical staff before heading back down the tunnel. Fortunately, Maresca confirmed the 27-year-old was okay and is fit to feature against Bournemouth.
Omar Marmoush picked up a heavy knock in the final stages of the game last Sunday. He was in particular discomfort and requested for Grealish to take the free kick he won, as he looked to recover. Maresca was asked about the forward in Cardiff and said: "He looks okay after the game, we'll see now." The City boss did not state that Marmoush was injured in his pre-match press conference.
Savinho and McAidoo updates
Savinho was absent with an illness against Arsenal last weekend. However, he is now on the verge of leaving City and joining Tottenham, so is highly unlikely to feature in today's squad.
Ryan McAidoo has not played since his impressive performance against Inter in Hong Kong. Maresca confirmed the teenage winger was still overcoming a small issue last week, but had trained with the squad. He was not named in the team to face Arsenal, but he did travel down to the Welsh capital with the squad. His potential return date is August 23 against Bournemouth.
