Man City injury, suspension news and return dates for Brighton clash: Ait-Nouri, Gvardiol, Savinho, Kovacic latest

Manchester City will be looking to return to winning ways when they travel to the Amex Stadium to face Brighton & Hove Albion in the Premier League on Sunday afternoon.

After kick-starting the new season with an eye-catching 4-0 win at Wolves, the Citizens suffered a disappointing 2-0 home defeat to Tottenham Hotspur last weekend.

Pep Guardiola’s side are now preparing to face a Seagulls side who they failed to beat either home or away last season, losing 2-1 at the Amex before being held to a 2-2 draw in their most recent meeting at the Etihad Stadium in March.

Here, Sports Mole rounds up Man City’s latest injury and suspension news ahead of the contest with Fabian Hurzeler’s side.

MATEO KOVACIC

Status: Out

Type of injury: Achilles

Possible return date: September 27 (vs. Burnley)

Mateo Kovacic underwent Achilles surgery earlier this summer, forcing him to miss Man City’s Club World Cup campaign, and the midfielder is not expected to return until after the international break.

RAYAN AIT-NOURI

Status: Available

Previous injury: Ankle

Return date: August 31 (vs. Brighton)

Rayan Ait-Nouri was forced off with an ankle injury in the first half of his home debut against Spurs, but Guardiola has confirmed that the left-back is fit and available for selection this weekend.

JOSKO GVARDIOL

Status: Minor doubt

Type of injury: Knock

Possible return date: August 31 (vs. Brighton)

Josko Gvardiol has missed Man City’s opening two matches with an unspecified knock, but the defender has returned to team training and could be fit to feature in the matchday squad against Brighton.

SAVINHO

Status: Out

Type of injury: Unspecified

Possible return date: Unknown

Savinho picked up an unspecified injury in a pre-season friendly win over Palermo earlier this month and the winger will not to return - for either Man City or Tottenham Hotspur amid transfer speculation - until after the international break.

MARCUS BETTINELLI

Status: Out

Type of injury: Knock

Possible return date: Unknown

Backup goalkeeper Marcus Bettinelli is currently sidelined with an unspecified knock and it remains to be seen when he could be available to return to first-team action.

KALVIN PHILLIPS

Status: Out

Type of injury: Achilles

Possible return date: Unknown

Kalvin Phillips, who is now deemed surplus to requirements at Man City, underwent Achilles surgery earlier this summer and it remains unknown as to when the midfielder will return to full fitness.