Rayan Cherki hands Manchester City major hamstring injury update | OneFootball

Manchester City have received a significant update surrounding the hamstring injury sustained by Rayan Cherki earlier this season, a new report has revealed.

Pep Guardiola confirmed at the end of August that his £34 million summer signing would be sidelined for around two months after suffering a muscular problem in the build-up to City’s eventual 2-1 defeat to Brighton.

The setback was a frustrating blow for both player and club, with Rayan Cherki widely expected to play a central role in Manchester City’s evolving attacking structure this season, following Kevin De Bruyne’s exit for Napoli upon the expiry of his contract.

The France international has missed a string of key fixtures for both club and country, sitting out of victories against Manchester United, Napoli, and Huddersfield, as well as the 1-1 Premier League draw away to Arsenal.

On the international stage, Cherki was also absent from France’s September commitments, further delaying his chance to cement a bigger role in Didier Deschamps’ immediate and longer-term plans ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Despite the frustration of his lay-off, Manchester City have maintained optimism about his recovery path, especially given the club’s robust medical infrastructure and careful workload management under Pep Guardiola.

With a busy schedule ahead across the Premier League, UEFA Champions League, and Carabao Cup fourth round across the space of October alone, Rayan Cherki’s return has been monitored closely behind the scenes.

Now, according to the information of L’Equipe’s Loic Tanzi, Cherki underwent an MRI scan earlier this week, which confirmed that the France international’s hamstring injury has now ‘healed’.

The 22-year-old has also now resumed rehabilitation work and, according to the report, a return to training with Manchester City is expected within a matter of days, meaning the player could be part of the matchday squad against either AS Monaco or Brentford.

Even with the positive update, Cherki is still expected to miss this weekend’s clash with Burnley, although City would always be likely to resist the temptation of rushing him back too soon, especially given the high-risk nature of muscular injuries if not managed carefully.

Pep Guardiola has often stressed the importance of patience with returning players, and Rayan Cherki’s case is no exception. Looking ahead, his reintroduction could prove crucial for Guardiola as he rotates across multiple competitions.

With Kevin De Bruyne having departed and Phil Foden hinting at stepping up as Manchester City’s new creative hub, Rayan Cherki’s unique blend of flair and directness will be an asset as City look to sharpen their attacking options.

Should his recovery remain on track, Rayan Cherki’s first minutes back may come from the bench, allowing him to build confidence and rhythm gradually, while the weeks that follow could see him take on a more consistent role.