Pep Guardiola has offered an encouraging injury update, revealing that wingers Jeremy Doku and Savinho are edging closer to a return to action for Manchester City.
Both wide men have been sidelined in recent weeks, disrupting City’s attacking rhythm. Savinho has been out for almost seven weeks and hasn’t featured since New Year’s Day.
Doku was forced off during the Champions League victory over Galatasaray last month. However, momentum is now building behind the scenes as Guardiola prepares to welcome them back into the fold.
“Jeremy is close,” said Pep. “He still doesn’t train with us, but we will see. He’s a little better, but [against Salford] we needed wingers.
“We know how important he is. It helps us a lot in how we play. I’m more than delighted with how we behave.
“Antoine has played a lot of minutes, if you make shifts with Doku, Semenyo, Savinho, the opponents defend in their box for 90 minutes.
“That’s why everything was so difficult [on Saturday].”
With City having relied heavily on their remaining wide options, Guardiola highlighted how rotation in those areas can stretch opponents and unlock stubborn defences.
That tactical flexibility, he believes, will return once Doku and Savinho are fully fit.
Turning focus to the Brazilian, Guardiola was visibly impressed by what he has seen in training, even if caution remains the priority.
“He’s been out for six weeks,” said Pep. “He could [have played] a few minutes, but we didn’t want to take risks. Training two days ago was wow, so good. He’s close.
“Now we have a long week and players coming back. Already Savinho, when he will learn to make the finished product he will be an unbelievable winger on both sides.”
As City enter a crucial phase of the season, the imminent return of both wingers promises to inject pace, unpredictability and depth into Guardiola’s attacking arsenal: a timely boost as the fixtures continue to come thick and fast.
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