De Bruyne and Akanji - latest Man City injury and availability news vs Bournemouth

It has perhaps gone slightly under the radar but this week could be a big one for Manchester City. They play struggling Bournemouth at home on Saturday as they try to keep pace with Arsenal and Tottenham at the head of the Premier League table.

The Gunners face a tough trip to Newcastle where three points are far from guaranteed while in-form Spurs could come across a banana skin in Chelsea. Three points at full-time will take the Blues to the top of the tree immediately and they could remain there depending on how the other results go.

Meanwhile, a victory over Young Boys on Tuesday will see City through to the knockouts of the Champions League with two matchdays to spare. That will allow Pep Guardiola to rotate where needed heading into a busy Christmas schedule.

READ MORE: Everything Guardiola said ahead Bournemouth

READ MORE: How Erling Haaland reacted to Ballon d'Or vote

The boss has the luxury of having an almost entirely fit squad too, although he is missing one key player.

Issue: Hamstring

Return date: Unknown

De Bruyne has had to undergo surgery for his hamstring issue that retriggered in the opening-day win over Burnley. The issue forced him off in the Champions League final and City are taking care to get his recovery right.

He opened up on his setback this week, explaining how he has not been given a timeframe for his recovery. He said: “I have never experienced this before, I have never had such a serious injury.

“We are now three months in and I am doing very well, everything on track… But they have not given me a deadline for when I will be able to play football again. They [City] want everything to be completely fine when I restart.”

Issue: Suspension

Return date: November 4

Akanji may well come