Man City injury update: Jeremy Doku, Rodri and John Stones latest news and return dates

Manchester City are once again walking into one of those moments that define a football season. It is the kind of period every top club knows too well, when games come quickly, injuries pile up, pressure increases, and every decision from the manager feels heavier than usual. On Wednesday night at the Etihad Stadium, Pep Guardiola and his players will face Brentford in the EFL Cup quarter-final. A place in the semi-finals is at stake, but this match feels bigger than a normal cup tie. It feels like a test of Manchester City’s strength, depth, patience, and mental toughness.

From the outside, some may look at this game and think it is just another cup match, just another chance to rotate the squad. But for Guardiola, there is no such thing as a small game. Every competition matters to him. Every trophy matters. And right now, with Manchester City dealing with a growing injury list, this match comes at a very delicate time.

City arrive at this game after a strong 3-0 win over Crystal Palace in the Premier League. The scoreline was convincing, the clean sheet was welcome, and the three points helped City stay close in the title race. Fans left that match feeling happy, relieved, and confident. But Guardiola, as always, looked deeper than the scoreline. After the game, he admitted that his team did not play as well as the result suggested. There were moments of poor decision-making, moments when players rushed instead of staying calm, and moments where concentration dropped.

To many fans, this might sound strange after a 3-0 away win. But this is Guardiola’s mindset. He sees football as a game of details. At the highest level, it is not just about winning, but about how you win. Those small mistakes that do not matter against Crystal Palace can become very costly later in the season, especially in knockout games or tight title races.

Now, just days after that win, City must quickly refocus and prepare for Brentford. The problem is not motivation. The problem is not quality. The biggest issue facing Guardiola right now is fitness. Manchester City’s injury situation has once again become a major concern, and it could play a huge role in how this match unfolds. The first name that worries fans is Jeremy Doku.

The Belgian winger was a surprise absence from the squad against Crystal Palace, and the shock was immediate. Supporters were confused, worried, and frustrated. After the game, Guardiola confirmed that Doku had picked up a leg injury. He did not go into much detail, which only increased anxiety among the fanbase. When Guardiola keeps things vague, fans usually fear the worst.

Doku has been one of City’s most exciting players this season. His pace is frightening. His dribbling is direct and fearless. He is the kind of player who can change a game in seconds. When City face teams that sit deep and defend with many players behind the ball, Doku’s ability to beat his man and create chaos is priceless.

Against Brentford, a team known for their organisation, physical strength, and discipline, Doku’s style could have been extremely useful. He stretches defences, forces defenders to make mistakes, and creates space for players like Erling Haaland and Phil Foden. Without him, City lose a very important weapon.

At the moment, Doku has not been officially ruled out of the Brentford game, but he remains a major doubt. Even if he is fit enough to be included in the squad, Guardiola must decide whether it is worth the risk. With more important league and European matches coming up, rushing Doku back could lead to a longer injury. Guardiola has been burned by that in the past, and he is unlikely to make the same mistake again. Then there is John Stones, another player whose absence has quietly affected City.

Stones has missed the last three matches with a thigh injury. On paper, City have many defenders, so some fans might think his absence is not a big issue. But Stones is not just a normal defender in Guardiola’s system. He is a key tactical piece. When City have the ball, Stones often steps into midfield, helping control possession, break opposition lines, and overload central areas.

This role is difficult to replace. Not many defenders have the intelligence, calmness, and technical ability Stones brings. His understanding of Guardiola’s system is deep, and his flexibility allows City to change shape during games without making substitutions.

Assistant coach Kolo Toure has tried to calm fears by saying the injury is not serious. There is a small chance Stones could return against Brentford, but it seems likely that Guardiola will wait. Thigh injuries are dangerous if rushed, and City cannot afford to lose Stones for a longer period. Once again, Guardiola must choose between short-term gain and long-term safety.But the biggest worry of all remains Rodri.

The Spanish midfielder is still recovering from a hamstring injury, and this game will almost certainly come too soon for him. Guardiola has suggested that Rodri could return around the weekend, when City face West Ham. Until then, City must continue without the player many believe is the most important in the squad.

Rodri is not just a defensive midfielder. He is the balance of the team. He controls the tempo, protects the defence, and makes sure City do not lose their shape. When Rodri plays, City look calm and dominant. When he does not, even in games they win, there is often a feeling of discomfort.

Without Rodri, City’s midfield becomes more open. Opponents find more space. Transitions become more dangerous. Guardiola has options, of course, but none offer the same complete package Rodri provides. His absence against a physical and aggressive team like Brentford will be felt deeply. Then there is Mateo Kovacic, whose situation is perhaps the most worrying of all.

The Croatian midfielder is facing a long spell on the sidelines due to a serious ankle problem. Guardiola has confirmed that Kovacic has a calcified ankle, an issue that can take months to fully heal. This is not a simple knock or muscle strain. It is a condition that needs careful management and patience.

Kovacic was brought to Manchester City to add experience, calmness, and rotation options in midfield. He was meant to help share the workload, especially during busy periods like this. With Rodri injured and Kovacic unavailable, Guardiola’s midfield choices become more limited.

Young players and squad players are now being asked to step up. While City have quality across the squad, consistency becomes harder when injuries remove key options. Guardiola must trust players who may not have played regularly, while also demanding the same high standards.

The one small positive for City is discipline. There are no suspensions to worry about. Guardiola does not have to deal with players missing due to cards or bans. That may seem like a minor detail, but in a season like this, every bit of good news matters.Still, injuries have a way of changing everything.

Brentford may not be fighting for the Premier League title, but they are a team that deserves respect. They are well-coached, tactically intelligent, and physically strong. They do not fear big teams. They are comfortable without the ball, dangerous on the counter, and excellent at set-pieces.

They recently drew 1-1 with Leeds United, a result that showed their resilience and discipline. They will arrive at the Etihad believing they can cause an upset. Cup football is unpredictable, and Brentford know that City, with injuries and possible rotation, could be vulnerable.

Guardiola will almost certainly rotate his squad, but not too much. He wants to win this competition. He wants his players to develop a winning mentality. He knows that trophies build confidence and habits that carry over into bigger competitions.But rotation brings risk.If he starts too many key players, he risks more injuries. If he rotates heavily, he risks losing control of the game.

This balance is one of the hardest parts of Guardiola’s job. It is not just about picking the best players, but about managing energy, confidence, and health over an entire season.

Manchester City’s season so far has been one of recovery and quiet rebuilding. Earlier in the campaign, performances were inconsistent. Injuries disrupted rhythm. Confidence dipped. But recently, things have started to improve. Players like Erling Haaland are finding the net again. Phil Foden looks sharp and confident. The team is playing with more control.

But Guardiola knows how fragile momentum can be. One bad result, one key injury, or one careless decision can change everything. That is why this Brentford match matters so much. It is not just about reaching the semi-finals. It is about managing adversity and proving that City can keep winning even when things are not perfect.

The EFL Cup may not carry the same prestige as the Premier League or Champions League, but it plays an important role. Winning it can set the tone for the rest of the season. It creates belief. It reminds players of what it feels like to lift a trophy. It sends a message to rivals that City are still hungry.

For Manchester City, Wednesday night is about more than football tactics. It is about depth. It is about trust. It is about showing that even without key players like Rodri, Doku, Stones, and Kovacic, the team can still function at a high level.

For Pep Guardiola, it is another challenge in a career full of them. He must adapt again. He must demand excellence again. He must protect his players while pushing them to their limits.

And for the fans, it is another reminder that success is never smooth. Titles are not won in comfort. They are earned through injuries, pressure, difficult decisions, and moments of doubt.

As the Etihad Stadium lights shine and the teams walk onto the pitch, Manchester City will once again try to show why they remain one of the most feared teams in English football. But with key players missing or doubtful, nothing can be taken for granted