O’Reilly, Doku – Man City Champions League injury news and return dates ahead of Porto clash

Manchester City are in Porto ahead of tonight’s Champions League opener for Enzo Maresca’s side

Manchester City are in Porto where they will begin their Champions League campaign against the Liga Portugal holders. Both sides have begun their respective league seasons with 100 per cent records, but Porto have some absences that they will have to address before tonight’s game.

Jan Bednarek is suspended after being sent off against Nottingham Forest in the Europa League last season. Victor Froholdt is set to miss out after being knocked unconscious during Friday night’s victory over Moreirense in Liga Portugal. Meanwhile, centre-forward Samu is a long-term absentee having torn his cruciate ligament in February.

City have also been forced to adapt their plans, with two senior players missing from the travelling squad. With this in mind, MEN Sport has taken a look at the latest injury news ahead of the Blues’ return to the European stage.

Nico O’Reilly

Injury: Back

O’Reilly was set to start against Coventry at the weekend, but a back injury suffered in the warm-up meant he had to drop out. He did not train on Monday and was subsequently not included in the travelling squad to face Porto. Maresca confirmed in his press conference that he expects O’Reilly to be back for Sunday’s derby.

Potential return date: September 13 vs Manchester United

Jeremy Doku

Injury: Calf

Doku started the Community Shield defeat to Arsenal last month. However, he was replaced at half time by Jack Grealish. When he re-emerged from the tunnel, the Belgian was seen with ice strapped to his calf.

Maresca later confirmed that Doku would be out for a further two to three weeks. Having not trained ahead of the Porto clash, the winger was unlikely to travel to Portugal and so it proved. When asked about Doku’s fitness, Maresca was unsure whether or not he would make it back in time for United, but his feeling was that he would not be available for that game either.

Potential return date: September 17 vs Norwich City