Nine Manchester City players at risk of missing Huddersfield FA Cup clash, Pep Guardiola reveals

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has provided an update on the fitness of nine players ahead of Sunday’s FA Cup third round tie.

Huddersfield Town visit the Etihad Stadium on Sunday in the third round of the Emirates FA Cup, as Manchester City begin their defence of the trophy, with the club looking to win the competition for an eighth time.

The Blues, who were unbeaten at home in 2023, won the FA Cup as part of an historic treble, with City becoming the first team since 1999 to win the Premier League, FA Cup and UEFA Champions League.

Manchester City trio Kevin De Bruyne, Erling Haaland and Jeremy Doku could all return to action after a lengthy period on the sidelines this weekend, with a clash against Huddersfield the first of three matches for the treble-winners this month.

De Bruyne hasn’t featured since August, meanwhile Doku and Haaland have been absent for the past month, missing crucial Premier League matches and the FIFA Club World Cup.

The three players all returned to first-team training this week, with De Bruyne having also been named in the matchday squad for last Saturday’s 2-0 win over Sheffield United in the Premier League.

Speaking on Friday, Guardiola revealed that the trio could feature either this weekend against Huddersfield or next weekend at St James’ Park against Newcastle United.

“They are training with us for the last 2-3 sessions, Jeremy [Doku] feels really really good, Kevin [De Bruyne] as well. We have to be patient with Kevin and give him the right minutes.

“Erling [Haaland] is a little bit better, it’s bone so we have to be careful. He’s done 2-3 sessions and feels good after. I don’t know for Sunday or Newcastle but hopefully for the rest they will be ready.”

Guardiola also revealed that a further six players could miss Sunday’s fixture against the Terriers, with Kalvin Phillips, Matheus Nunes, Scott Carson and Bernardo Silva all suffering from illness.

John Stones will remain sidelined after suffering an ankle injury against Everton, with the Englishman having seen his campaign plagued by injury issues.

Manchester City midfielder Rodri could also miss Sunday’s fixture after Guardiola revealed that the 27-year-old had returned to Madrid, following the death of his grandmother.