Manchester City have a huge game at home to Liverpool on Saturday but Pep Guardiola could have a threadbare squad to work with after several injury issues.
City could have done with coming through the November international break unscathed but fortune has not been on their side. Before a ball was even kicked, Mateo Kovacic, Nathan Ake, Matheus Nunes and Ederson were forced to withdraw from their respective national teams.
Guardiola might have been watching international football from behind the sofa and suffered another blow after seeing Erling Haaland go down holding his ankle during Norway's win over the Faroe Islands. MEN Sport has rounded up all possible return dates for City's injured stars.
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Erling Haaland
Injury: Ankle
What we know: Haaland was seen in discomfort after picking up an ankle injury for Norway against the Faroe Islands last week. He was left out of the squad to face Scotland on Sunday, vowing to be back fit as soon as possible. There has been no prognosis as of yet.
Norway manager Stale Solbakken suggested on Saturday that the striker could have faced the Tartan Army but a decision was made not to risk him. "It's his movement in the foot that is his problem but it's not a serious injury," he said "Had [the game vs Scotland] been a final, I don't know."
Possible return date: November 25 vs Liverpool
Rodri
Injury: Unknown
What we know: Rodri was left out of the Spain squad to face Cyprus on Thursday with reports stating he was suffering 'discomfort'. But the midfielder played 86 minutes against Georgia on Sunday and came through the game with no fresh issues.
Possible return date: November 25 vs Liverpool
John Stones
Injury: Muscular
What we know: Stones picked up another muscle injury during the 3-0 win over BSC Young Boys earlier this month and was not involved with England during the international break. Guardiola has said the issue is 'not bad' but he and the club medical staff will not rush the defender back.
Possible return date: TBC
Matheus Nunes
Injury: Unspecified
What we know: A statement from the Portuguese FA read: "The midfielder is unfit for Portugal's two games. Matheus Nunes was declared clinically unfit for games against Liechtenstein and Iceland after undergoing tests."
Return date: TBC
Ederson
Injury: Foot
What we know: Ederson suffered an impact injury against Chelsea. The goalkeeper played out the full 90 minutes at Stamford Bridge but then withdrew from international duty with Brazil. He is expected to be okay for the weekend.
Possible return date: November 25 vs Liverpool
Mateo Kovacic
Injury: Muscular
What we know: Kovacic was involved in the Chelsea game as a second-half substitute. However, the midfielder picked up a muscular problem at some point shortly after and hasn't featured for Croatia during this break.
Return date: TBC
Nathan Ake
Injury: Unspecified
What we know: Ake was unavailable for the trip to Chelsea after picking up an injury in training. City are yet to provide an update on the centre-back, but he did withdraw from Netherlands duty for Euro 2024 qualifiers against the Republic of Ireland and Gibraltar.
Return date: TBC
Sergio Gomez
Injury: Ankle
What we know: Gomez was initially spotted on crutches after the 6-1 thrashing of Bournemouth. The injury has now been described as a straightforward sprain and he should return to training in the coming days.
Possible return date: November 25 vs Liverpool
Kevin De Bruyne
Injury: Hamstring
What we know: De Bruyne has been out since suffering a severe hamstring injury in the opening game of the season against Burnley. Guardiola has refused to put a time frame on his return but has said he expects the Belgian to be the last to regain full fitness.
"I won't say two weeks, one week," he added. "We don't put pressure, the doctors say next step. No pressure, recover, it's not necessary to do the bad decisions to come back early. Step by step."
Return date: January/February
