Semenyo out for up to eight weeks

Manchester City manager Enzo Maresca said on Monday, 19 October, that winger Antoine Semenyo will be sidelined for up to eight weeks by a knee injury. The Ghana international was hurt after coming on as a substitute in the 3-2 Premier League win over Ipswich on Saturday, 17 October. A scan on Sunday, 18 October showed a problem less serious than the club had first feared, and Maresca described it as a collateral injury rather than a muscle problem. Maresca said Semenyo is probably due back in December, when he expects him to bring fresh energy. Semenyo has scored two goals in all competitions this season.

“In the first moment, we expected an even worse injury, so we were more worried.”

Haaland's knock and cover

Erling Haaland scored twice against Ipswich but was seen limping at full time. One report called the problem an ankle issue, while another described it as a foot injury. Maresca said after the match that Haaland had told him he was 'OK', and he has since said the striker could be available for AEK Athens at home on Tuesday, 20 October. Haaland was hurt in a challenge with Jack Clarke, an Ipswich substitute, during the closing stages.

“He can be available, we will see, we have a session now.”

Options without Semenyo

With Semenyo out, Maresca has said he can use Antoine as a number nine and also has other players to try in that role. Phil Foden is one option, and he ended a run of 35 games without a goal by scoring against Ipswich. Iliman Ndiaye was also named as a possible option. Maresca made six changes against Ipswich, reflecting the need to rotate during a demanding schedule of seven games in 21 days in October for City.

Other fitness concerns

Mateo Kovacic was replaced on 50 minutes by Enzo Fernandez, and Maresca said he was OK. Nico O'Reilly was taken off on the hour and replaced by Josko Gvardiol, after a flare-up of the back problem that had earlier forced him out of the warm-up before the Coventry game. Matheus Nunes also raised a fitness scare at the weekend. Maresca said the rest of the squad was more or less okay after the Ipswich win.

What comes next

City host AEK Athens in the Champions League on Tuesday, 20 October, and Haaland's availability will be decided before that game. Semenyo is expected to miss four Champions League matches as well as the fourth-round Carabao Cup tie against Brighton. Maresca has said the squad will be managed carefully to keep players fit through a packed fixture list.