Nunes and Doku to wait for their debuts - Man City predicted starting XI vs Fulham

Jeremy Doku and Matheus Nunes may have to continue to wait to make their Manchester City debut.

City signed winger Doku last week in time to be involved in the narrow 2-1 win over Sheffield United but the £55.5m signing remained an unused substitute. On an unusually hectic deadline day, the Blues did make one signing amid their several departures in the form of Nunes.

Pep Guardiola wanted an extra body in midfield following the injury to Kevin De Bruyne. Nunes has been signed in a £53m deal which has seen Tommy Doyle head to Wolves on loan for the season, with the Black Country club having a £5m option to buy.

Acting manager Juanma Lillo didn't sound optimistic that Nunes would be involved in Saturday's Premier League match with Fulham and the new recruit had not trained with his teammates on Friday. So Nunes may have to wait until after the international break to make his first appearance but Doku will be eager to play.

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However, he might have to wait as City could name an unchanged side to the one that was victorious at Bramall Lane. Phil Foden has returned to full fitness after a brief illness and Manuel Akanji is also fit to play again.

"Right now, Phil is completely recovered from his illness," Lillo said. "Manu's problem was more prevention. He's more or less there. John is more or less there as well. We're okay, we're fine. It's not decisive."

Yet, the management team may want to not take any risks with the looming international break giving the opportunity for players to rest up. With John Stones likely not to be risked just yet as he returns to fitness, the defence could remain as Josko Gvardiol, Nathan Ake, Ruben Dias and Kyle Walker.

Erl