Doku calf injury sidelines Manchester City winger for Premier League opener

Manchester City manager Enzo Maresca has confirmed that Belgium winger Jeremy Doku is set to miss the Premier League season opener against Bournemouth due to a calf injury. The 24-year-old sustained the problem during the first half of the club’s 3-0 defeat to Arsenal in the Community Shield in Cardiff last weekend.

Maresca, who is beginning his first season in charge after replacing Pep Guardiola in the close season, addressed reporters on Friday to outline the squad’s availability. He noted that Doku is currently the only player unavailable for selection, a significant early setback for the former Chelsea boss as he navigates the transition period.

The manager explained that Doku complained of calf pain at half-time during the Community Shield match. Although the substitution was originally planned for the 45-minute mark, the timing of the complaint provided an early indication of the issue. Maresca stated that the absence is expected to last two to three weeks, adding that it should be "no more than that."

Consequently, Doku is expected to miss City’s upcoming fixtures against Bournemouth, Crystal Palace, and Coventry. This sequence of matches places a potential return timeline ahead of the Manchester derby against Manchester United, though a specific return date has not yet been confirmed.

The injury comes at a pivotal moment for the club, which is undergoing a managerial change and adjusting to the departure of key players Rodri and Bernardo Silva. With the Premier League season about to commence, Maresca must now manage the squad’s depth and rotation strategy in the absence of a key winger.

According to Maresca, the medical team is monitoring the situation closely, with the current assessment suggesting a recovery period of up to three weeks. The club will provide further updates as the season progresses and the winger’s condition is reviewed.