Injuries piling up. Title race tightening. And now City are sweating over Jeremy Doku.
Manchester City head to Elland Road this Saturday — but Pep Guardiola’s squad is far from at full strength.
The biggest question mark? Jeremy Doku.
The Belgian winger has not featured at all in February after picking up a calf injury against Galatasaray last month. With 11 assists and three goals this season, Doku has been one of City’s most unpredictable attacking weapons.
And Guardiola may need him more than ever.
A final decision on his fitness is still pending, with City awaiting medical clearance ahead of the Premier League trip to Leeds United.
Defensive Blow Confirmed
If there was hope elsewhere, it’s quickly fading.
Josko Gvardiol is ruled out. The Croatian defender suffered a broken tibia in early January and is not expected back until April. He scored in November’s dramatic 3-2 win over Leeds but won’t be available for the reverse fixture.
Mateo Kovacic’s situation is even more concerning.
After Achilles and ankle surgery earlier in the season, the midfielder returned briefly — just 37 minutes of football — before requiring a second operation. He hasn’t played since October and could miss the remainder of the campaign.
That’s two key names sidelined.
And potentially a third if Doku fails to recover in time.
Why Doku Matters
City’s tactical flexibility often relies on wide players stretching defences. Without conventional wingers in some recent setups, Doku’s directness has provided vital width and unpredictability.
He completed 90 minutes in November’s win over Leeds — a chaotic encounter that saw City go 2-0 up before being pegged back, only to secure a dramatic victory.
This weekend’s trip won’t be simple either.
Leeds sit lower in the table, but Elland Road is rarely forgiving. Daniel Farke’s side recently held Aston Villa to a draw and will sense vulnerability if City arrive short-handed.
Leeds’ Own Concerns
It’s not just City dealing with injury issues.
Noah Okafor is out with a hamstring problem suffered in the FA Cup against Birmingham City. Gabriel Gudmundsson is a minor doubt after illness forced him off at half-time against Villa.
Farke is expected to clarify his squad situation at Thursday’s press conference.
Pressure Building
With Arsenal breathing down their necks — or possibly ahead, depending on results — City cannot afford a slip-up.
Leeds away looks manageable on paper.
But so did other fixtures that turned into battles.
If Doku is unavailable, Guardiola may need to reshuffle again, relying on squad depth and tactical tweaks.
One thing is certain:
The margin for error is shrinking.
And every fitness update now feels like a headline.
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