Manchester City have received a double injury boost ahead of Saturday's Premier League clash against Nottingham Forest at the Etihad Stadium.
Manager Pep Guardiola has confirmed that Jack Grealish could return to the matchday squad after taking part in training this week following a spell on the sidelines with a knee injury, while Mateo Kovacic is closing in on a return from a muscle issue in his back, although Saturday's fixture may come too soon for the midfielder.
Man City will have to cope without Bernardo Silva, though, who is facing up to two weeks in the treatment room after sustaining a unspecified leg injury in the first half of City's 3-1 win over Red Star Belgrade in the Champions League on Tuesday; the Portuguese playmaker will now join Kevin De Bruyne (hamstring) and John Stones (muscle) on the sidelines.
Should Kovacic pass a late fitness test on Saturday, the midfielder could battle with fellow summer signing Matheus Nunes – who started his first City game against Red Star – for a spot alongside in-form lynchpin Rodri.
Guardiola will be tempted to freshen up his side in a few positions this weekend, with Josko Gvardiol hoping to force his way back into the first XI ahead of either Nathan Ake or Sergio Gomez, the latter of whom started his first game of the season at left-back against Red Star.
The absence of Bernardo will likely see Jeremy Doku handed a start on the left flank and Phil Foden moving over to the right, with Grealish expected to begin as a substitute pending a fitness test, while Julian Alvarez and Erling Haaland, who scored five goals between them in a 6-0 home win over Forest last season, are set to continue in attack.
Manchester City possible starting lineup: Ederson; Walker, Akanji, Dias, Gvardiol; Rodri, Nunes; Foden, Alvarez, Doku; Haaland
Oliver Thomas
