Manchester City’s Premier League trip to Wolves on Sunday could receive a significant boost with the potential returns of Kevin De Bruyne and Nathan Ake.
De Bruyne has been sidelined with a groin injury since City’s Champions League draw with Inter Milan last month, while Ake has been recovering from a hamstring problem.
De Bruyne, who sat out Belgium’s recent Nations League fixtures against Italy and France, is expected to be fit for the Molineux game.
Manager Pep Guardiola previously stated, “Hopefully, after the international break, he will be back.”
The 33-year-old midfielder has also opted out of Belgium’s games against Italy and Israel next month to manage his workload ahead of the Club World Cup next summer.
Ake, absent since August due to a hamstring injury sustained on international duty with the Netherlands, is closing in on a return.
Guardiola confirmed, “Yeah, I expect him back after the international break… He needs time.” Ake’s return will provide valuable depth to City’s defense.
The duo’s return is a welcome boost, but City will be without Rodri for the remainder of the season due to knee surgery.
Oscar Bobb is expected back in December after suffering a leg fracture.
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Mateo Kovacic has filled the void left by Rodri, scoring two crucial goals in City’s 3-2 win over Fulham.
Ilkay Gundogan is working to recapture his best form since rejoining City from Barcelona, but Guardiola has faith in the 33-year-old.
Phil Foden has been used sparingly following England’s Euro 2024 campaign but scored his first goal in the 4-0 win over Slovan Bratislava and made his first Premier League start against Fulham.
Jack Grealish missed England’s 2-1 defeat to Greece through injury but returned with a goal in their 3-1 win over Finland.
Erling Haaland, who has 11 goals in 10 games so far this term for City, played the duration of Norway’s games against Slovenia and Austria.
With De Bruyne and Ake potentially returning, City’s predicted XI (4-2-3-1) lineup looks set to be:
Ederson;
Lewis, Akanji, Dias, Gvardiol;
Kovacic, Gundogan;
Silva, Foden, Grealish;
Haaland.
Sunday’s match against Wolves represents a critical litmus test for Manchester City’s title aspirations.
With key players absent, Guardiola must rally his squad and conjure a winning formula.
The outcome will either solidify City’s position among the Premier League elite or raise questions about their staying power.
