Juanma Lillo provides crucial triple Manchester City injury update ahead of Fulham clash

Manchester City have been handed a welcome fitness boost ahead of Saturday’s Premier League meeting with Fulham at the Etihad Stadium.

The treble-winners are seeking to maintain their winning start to the Premier League campaign this weekend, with Fulham visiting the Etihad Stadium in Manchester City’s final match before the imminent international break.

Manchester City moved to the top of the Premier League with a late 2-1 victory over Sheffield United last weekend, as Rodri’s thumping effort smashed the Sky Blues ahead in the 88th minute, after Jayden Bogle cancelled out Erling Haaland’s opening goal.

The Blues are the only Premier League side to have won their opening three matches, as Manchester City bid to win the title for a fourth successive season.

Fulham, who have had a successful week after earning a draw at Arsenal and knocking Tottenham out of the Carabao Cup, sit 12th in the Premier League table after a mixed start to the season.

Marco Silva’s side are without a Premier League win since an opening day victory over Everton at Craven Cottage.

The west London club lost 2-1 to Manchester City both home and away last season, and haven’t won any of the past 20 matches against the Cityzens.

Pep Guardiola will remain absent from dugout for Saturday’s clash, as the 52-year-old continues to recover from emergency back surgery in Barcelona.

Manchester City assistant manager Juanma Lillo will lead the team at the Etihad Stadium this weekend, and confirmed ahead of the fixture that both Phil Foden and Manuel Akanji could feature.

Akanji missed last weekend’s win at Bramall Lane, meanwhile illness forced Foden to be named as a substitute in south Yorkshire.

Speaking ahead of Saturday’s match against Fulham, Lillo said: “Right now, Phil [Foden] is completely recovered from his illness. Manu [Akanji]’s problem was more prevention. He’s more or less there.”

John Stones is also continuing to recover from a muscular injury, and the Manchester City assistant manager, said: “John [Stones] is more or less there as well. We’re okay, we’re fine. It’s not decisive.”

The Englishman, who wasn’t named as part of Gareth Southgate’s England squad on Thursday, hasn’t featured for Manchester City since the FA Community Shield defeat to Arsenal at the start of August.