Manchester City could welcome back Jeremy Doku for tonight’s clash with Sunderland in the Premier League.
Doku has missed Man City’s last four games across all competitions because of a leg injury but manager Pep Guardiola said the Belgian winger could make his comeback at the Stadium of Light on New Year’s Day.
It seems likely that Doku would be eased back into action from the bench, with Rayan Cherki and Phil Foden both in brilliant form either side of Erling Haaland.
Rodri could get some minutes as a substitute too after returning to the City squad at Nottingham Forest last weekend.
The Ballon d’Or winner has not played since the start of November and his return to fitness is a major boost for City in their title fight with Arsenal, who pulled five points clear at the top of the Premier League with a statement 4-1 victory over Aston Villa on Tuesday.
John Stones and Oscar Bobb remain unavailable for the visit to Wearside, however.
“Maybe Rodri can play a few minutes,” said Guardiola ahead of the Sunderland game. “We need it desperately. Doku, maybe. John and Oscar, no.”
Rayan Ait-Nouri and Omar Marmoush are still both away at the Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, while Mateo Kovacic is continuing his rehabilitation from an ankle injury.
Guardiola has used a settled City lineup in recent weeks but there could be a few changes amid a busy fixture schedule.
City are closing in on a deal for Antoine Semenyo but the Bournemouth winger has not been signed in time for the Sunderland game.
Predicted Man City XI (4-3-3): Donnarumma; Nunes, Dias, Gvardiol, O’Reilly; Silva, Gonzalez, Reijnders; Cherki, Haaland, Foden
Injured: Kovacic, Stones, Bobb
Doubt: Doku
Unavailable: Ait-Nouri, Marmoush (AFCON)
Time and date: 8pm GMT on Thursday January 1, 2026
Venue: Stadium of Light, Sunderland
How to watch: Sky Sports
