Jeremy Doku set to miss Premier League opening weeks after calf injury

Manchester City winger Jeremy Doku is expected to miss the opening weeks of the Premier League season after suffering a calf injury during the Community Shield defeat to Arsenal.

The Belgian international is unavailable for Saturday’s trip to Bournemouth and could also be absent for upcoming matches against Crystal Palace and Coventry City.

Doku was withdrawn at half-time in the Community Shield, although the substitution had initially been planned to manage his minutes. Concerns grew when he reported discomfort in his calf, and the early assessment indicates a short but frustrating spell on the sidelines.

City head coach Enzo Maresca confirmed the injury ahead of the Bournemouth match. “Unfortunately in the last game at half-time he was complaining about pain in his calf,” Maresca said. “The idea with him anyway was to play 45 minutes so the change was planned but at the moment it looks like two or three weeks.”

The absence removes one of City’s most direct attacking options at the start of the campaign. Doku impressed last season with his pace, dribbling and ability to create opportunities from wide areas.

Manchester City will monitor his recovery closely, hoping the injury does not keep him out longer than the initial two-to-three-week estimate.