This is the latest position on Manchester City’s team news ahead of Friday’s Premier League trip to Selhurst Park, updated on 17 September 2026. Jeremy Doku remains out and Matheus Nunes is still a fitness doubt. New signing Ayyoub Bouaddi looks set to be included in Enzo Maresca’s squad for the visit to Pierre Sage’s reshaped Palace squad.
City arrive at Selhurst Park among the sides setting the early Premier League pace. Even so, Maresca still has selection problems to manage before kick-off. Palace supporters assessing the visitors’ options can find the background in our original Manchester City injury report. The overall fitness picture is largely unchanged since that piece was first published, aside from confirmation on Bouaddi’s involvement.
Latest update: Man City team news for Crystal Palace clash
The headline news for City fans is straightforward. Doku is unavailable, Nunes remains uncertain, and Bouaddi is in line to be part of the matchday squad for the trip across London. None of that has changed materially since the story first broke. It is still worth restating clearly now that kick-off is close.
Maresca has not sprung any fresh injury concerns on his squad this week. The three-name update above continues to define his selection headache. Friday’s team news is expected to confirm the final picture only shortly before kick-off.
Jeremy Doku ruled out and Matheus Nunes fitness doubt
Doku will miss Friday’s game. The winger was substituted at half-time during the Community Shield with an issue that then kept him out of City’s Premier League fixture against Bournemouth. He has not returned to full training in time to be considered for the trip to Selhurst Park.
Nunes offers a little more encouragement. He came off the bench in the second half against Bournemouth, a sign he is closer to full fitness. Maresca stopped short of confirming him for Friday’s starting eleven or even the squad. Asked directly about the midfielder’s availability, the City manager said: “Matheus we will see, he is still not 100%.”
That leaves Maresca weighing up whether to risk Nunes from the bench again or hold him back entirely. It is a decision that is likely to be taken close to kick-off rather than announced in advance.
Ayyoub Bouaddi set for Manchester City squad inclusion
Amid the injury concerns, there is a more positive update on City’s squad depth. Eighteen-year-old summer signing Ayyoub Bouaddi is set to be included in the matchday squad for the trip to Selhurst Park. It is an early involvement for the teenager since his move to the club.
Maresca has been impressed by the youngster’s temperament in training. “He’s quite calm,” the manager said. He then explained why City intend to bring Bouaddi through carefully rather than throw him straight into a demanding away fixture: “He doesn’t look 18 – he looks older which is important but in this case we need to go slowly because he is young, came from a different country.”
Those comments suggest Bouaddi’s involvement, even if he is included in the squad, is likely to be managed cautiously. He is unlikely to be treated as an immediate route into the starting line-up.
Are Jeremy Doku and Matheus Nunes available against Palace?
Doku is not available for Friday’s match. His half-time withdrawal during the Community Shield and subsequent absence against Bournemouth rule him out of the trip to Selhurst Park. Nunes has not been ruled out in the same way, but he remains a doubt rather than a confirmed starter.
Palace fans should treat Nunes’s involvement as uncertain until team news is confirmed nearer kick-off. Maresca’s own description of him as “still not 100%” points to City making a late call on his fitness. That call will come even after his run-out from the bench against Bournemouth showed some progress.
In short: one confirmed absence in Doku, one genuine doubt in Nunes, and no indication from Maresca of any further fitness problems affecting Friday’s squad.
What happens next as Pierre Sage faces City test
Maresca used his pre-match press conference to flag the scale of the challenge Sage’s side pose, regardless of who is available to him. “Palace away is always complicated. It’s a complicated pitch, a good team, and a new manager has arrived. You can see from pre-season and the first game what they want to do – it’s quite clear. It’s similar to Oliver [Glasner], their former manager. No doubt it will be a tough game.”
That comparison, drawn by Maresca himself, will resonate with Palace supporters who remember Glasner’s Eagles causing plenty of visiting sides problems at Selhurst Park. Further detail on Pierre Sage’s tactical setup shows why City are wary of the approach taking shape under the new manager.
Doku is confirmed absent and Nunes’s involvement is still to be decided. Bouaddi is in line for his first taste of the squad. City’s final team news is expected to emerge close to Friday’s kick-off. Maresca has already made clear he expects a tough game, and Palace will be looking to make the visitors’ selection headaches count at Selhurst Park.
