Maresca confirms O'Reilly fit for Manchester derby as Doku remains sidelined

Nico O’Reilly is set to return for Manchester City’s Premier League derby at Old Trafford this weekend after Enzo Maresca confirmed the midfielder is fully fit. The 20-year-old missed Tuesday’s 2-0 Champions League victory over Porto following his withdrawal during City’s 1-0 win against Coventry the previous weekend.

“Nico’s 100% available,” Maresca said plainly when addressing the media ahead of the Manchester United clash.

Jeremy Doku will not be available for the derby, however. The Belgian winger sustained a calf injury during the Community Shield defeat to Arsenal — a 3-0 loss — and Maresca indicated he requires further recovery time. “Jeremy, I think he needs some more days,” the City boss said.

Doku had been one of City’s standout performers during last season’s Premier League run-in, making his absence a notable blow ahead of one of English football’s most high-profile fixtures.

New signing Iliman Ndiaye, who was also withdrawn against Coventry, recovered in time to feature in the midweek European tie, offering Maresca some relief in his attacking options.

Maresca was measured in his pre-match assessment of the derby’s significance. “It is very important for different reasons. We know how important a derby is, especially here,” he said. “A special game. The most important thing we can do is try to be ourselves, and then we see the final result.”