Manchester City Boost as Rayan Cherki Cleared to Return from Hamstring Injury

MRI Confirms Positive Progress

According to L’Equipe journalist Loic Tanzi, Cherki underwent an MRI scan earlier this week which confirmed that the injury has fully healed. The 22-year-old has since resumed rehabilitation and is expected to rejoin first-team training within days.

This development raises the prospect of Cherki featuring in the matchday squad for upcoming fixtures against AS Monaco in the Champions League or Brentford in the Premier League.

Fixtures Missed and Impact

The attacker has been absent from several key matches, including wins over Manchester United, Napoli, and Huddersfield, plus the 1-1 draw at Arsenal. He also missed France’s September internationals, delaying his bid for a regular role under Didier Deschamps ahead of the 2026 World Cup.

Guardiola Urges Patience

Despite the positive news, Guardiola is expected to adopt a cautious approach, ensuring Cherki does not return prematurely. The City manager has repeatedly stressed the importance of carefully managing muscular injuries to avoid setbacks.

Return Timeline

Cherki is not expected to feature against Burnley this weekend, but gradual minutes from the bench could mark his initial return. If his progress continues smoothly, he is set to become a key option in Guardiola’s attacking rotation through October’s congested schedule.

FAQ

• What injury did Rayan Cherki suffer?
  He sustained a hamstring injury at the end of August.
• How long has he been out?
  He has missed nearly two months of action, including fixtures against Manchester United, Arsenal, and Napoli.
• When will Cherki return?
  He is expected to rejoin training within days and could feature in matches against AS Monaco or Brentford.
• Will he play against Burnley?
  No, Guardiola has confirmed he is unlikely to feature this weekend.

Conclusion

Rayan Cherki’s recovery is a welcome boost for Manchester City as Pep Guardiola looks to balance a packed fixture list across multiple competitions. With his creativity and direct attacking threat, the Frenchman could play a crucial role in reshaping City’s forward line following De Bruyne’s exit. Patience will be key, but his imminent return provides fresh optimism at the Etihad.