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&apost sound optimistic that Nunes would be involved in Saturday&aposs 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.
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&aposs problem was more prevention. He&aposs more or less there. John is more or less there as well. We&aposre okay, we&aposre fine. It&aposs 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.
Erling Haaland will almost certainly lead the attack with Jack Grealish, Julian Alvarez and Bernardo Silva playing supporting roles. Rodri and Mateo Kovacic could be deployed in the double pivot.
