This is a significant injury boost to Manchester City as Jeremy Doku has gone back to training before their trip to Leeds United in the Premier League, on Saturday, February 28, 2026.
The news has given an uplift at the Etihad. City have suffered a trial period when several of their key players are out of action and any good news is welcome when the title battle has entered a sensitive stage.
Doku Back on the Grass After Calf Backlash.
City has missed the Belgian winger since its 2-0 win in the competition of Galatasaray in the end of January. An injury sustained on a calf during that triumph put him out of commission a few weeks.
However, development has come at last. The reason why Doku took a big stride into his recovery is because he re-entered the training pitch recently.
The update was announced by Manager Pep Guardiola during his pre-match press conference:
The first training session was made yesterday. I have no idea when he will reappear. We shall discuss the doctors and physios later.
The words of Guardiola are of reserved optimism. Doku is on the right track though City are not pushing him into it. The fact of his exact return date is vague.
Citing the Evening Standard and official sources of Manchester City, the building was described as a significant blow to the squad of Guardiola in terms of injuries.
The Problem of Doku, and Why It Matters so Much.
Doku is not any of the squad players. His electric running speed and direct running style have been reported to make him one of the most dangerous wide options in the premier league.
In his absence, the attacking threat by City on the flanks has lacked some of its sharpness.
Guardiola himself has given comments regarding the necessity of good wingers being around. Such an expression further increases the importance of Doku getting back on his feet.
City have a congested timetable in the Premier League and the European competition. The fact that Doku is getting closer to full fitness also gives Guardiola a lot more flexibility when it comes to attacking.
Defensive Reinforcements to Good News.
Doku is not the only one to receive injury update. The defensive selections of City also have been enhanced going into the match against Leeds.
Both John Stones and Ruben Dias are in full blast:
- Stones has been out since the beginning of December with a thigh injury. He has already undergone all the training and can be selected.
- Dias came back after a month of layoff and introduced a badly-needed backline leadership to the team as City pursues Arsenal at the head of the table.
- Abdukodir Khusanov only passed a test after being scared of a head wound in the recent victory at Liverpool.
These returns are huge. The fact that City had an actual defensive crisis at the turn of the year means that restoring their defensive spine is equally vital as any positive news about attacks.
Mixed Picture on the Wings
It is not that clear-cut that on the flanks. Although the news of Doku returning to training is a good one, Brazilian winger Savinho is the first player to be used.
Savinho is back after a month of absence due to a thigh issue. His fitness has been restored and provides City with a first hand choice on the wing in his upcoming match at Elland Road on Saturday.
Nonetheless, Doku is most likely to miss the Leeds game. He has since then missed seven straight games. His appearance in training pitch is an upshot yet match fitness is gradual.
Other long term absentee players such as Josko Gvardiol and Mateo Kovacic are also at the side and hence Guardiola had to make decisions carefully when comparing to his squad.
City Eyemomentum Elland Road.
The visit to Leeds United on a Saturday is a crucial one. City requires points to stay even with Arsenal in the title race and the reappearance of its key players could not have been timed better.
Guardiola has more weapons to play with now than a few weeks ago with Stones and Dias supporting the defence and Savinho to attack.
The headline is the rehabilitation of Doku to training.
However, the bigger picture is that a squad that is gradually regaining full strength.
In case City is managed to keep itself healthy at this point, they will be one of the most dangerous teams in Europe. And as such as Doku gains upon them day by day, we can not say that they have exhausted their best football.
