Man City injury latest: Semenyo ruled out for eight weeks as Nunes and O’Reilly await returns

Manchester City are facing around eight weeks without Antoine Semenyo after manager Enzo Maresca confirmed the winger has suffered a knee injury.

City were also missing Matheus Nunes, Nico O'Reilly and Mateo Kovacic for their 5-1 Champions League victory over AEK Athens, leaving questions over their availability for Saturday's Premier League trip to Aston Villa.

Erling Haaland returned to the matchday squad after missing training with a reported foot and ankle concern, although the Norwegian remained an unused substitute.

Semenyo faces the longest spell on the sidelines, with December the current estimate for his return.

Semenyo is expected to miss approximately eight weeks after undergoing scans on a knee problem following City's 3-2 victory over Ipswich Town.

The Ghana international had experienced swelling in his leg during the recent international period, forcing him to withdraw from national team duty.

He subsequently featured against Liverpool, Paris Saint-Germain and Ipswich before further discomfort prompted medical examinations.

Maresca admitted City initially feared the injury could be more serious, but the assessment indicated a recovery period of around eight weeks.

A December comeback would leave Semenyo unavailable throughout November, although no specific return fixture has been confirmed.

His absence also reduces City's attacking options. Maresca had considered using the Ghanaian through the centre as an alternative to Haaland, giving the Norwegian opportunities to rest during a demanding fixture schedule.

Expected return: December 2026, subject to recovery.

O'Reilly continues to struggle with a recurring back problem after being substituted against Ipswich.

Maresca confirmed it was the same issue that had previously prevented the England international from featuring against Coventry following discomfort during the warm-up.

“Nico, it's still his back,” Maresca explained.

“If you remember, against Coventry in the warm-up, it's the same problem.”

O'Reilly was subsequently absent from the squad against AEK Athens despite earlier hopes that he would recover in time.

Nunes also missed the Champions League victory after experiencing discomfort following the Ipswich match.

Maresca had previously suggested the Portuguese international was fit, but he was not included against AEK.

Neither player has a confirmed return date, leaving their availability for Saturday's visit to Aston Villa uncertain.

Expected returns: Unconfirmed. Both remain doubts for 24 October.

Kovacic is another player awaiting a clearer fitness assessment after being withdrawn during City's victory over Ipswich.

The Croatian midfielder started alongside Ayyoub Bouaddi but was replaced by Enzo Fernandez in the 50th minute following a knock.

Maresca initially played down concerns, explaining after the match that Kovacic had indicated he was fine.

However, the midfielder was subsequently left out of the squad for the Champions League meeting with AEK Athens.

No further explanation for his absence has been established, leaving it unclear whether he will be available against Aston Villa.

Expected return: Unconfirmed.

City received a boost when Haaland was named among the substitutes for the 5-1 victory over AEK Athens.

The striker had missed Monday's training session after the Ipswich match amid reports of a foot and ankle concern.

Although he did not feature against AEK, City secured a comfortable victory, with Phil Foden scoring a hat-trick.

Haaland's inclusion on the bench indicated he was available for selection, but it remains unclear whether he will be ready to start against Aston Villa.

His fitness will be particularly important while Semenyo remains sidelined, given the Ghanaian's potential role as an alternative through the centre.

Manchester City travel to Aston Villa on Saturday, 24 October, with the fitness of O'Reilly, Nunes and Kovacic still to be clarified.

Maresca's next team-news update should provide a clearer indication of whether any of the three can return, while Haaland's readiness to start will also be assessed.

Semenyo faces a longer recovery, with December remaining the projected timeframe for his comeback.