Bruno Fernandes played through injury on Wednesday night (Picture: Getty Images)
Bruno Fernandes and Raphael Varane are both expected to be fit for the Manchester derby on Sunday, although no currently injured players are set to return, confirmed Erik ten Hag.
Both Fernandes and Varane were doubts for Wednesday night’s FA Cup fifth round tie at Nottingham Forest but started the 1-0 win at the City Ground.
After playing the full 90 minutes there were some doubts over the Portuguese and the Frenchman for the trip to the Etihad on Sunday, but Ten Hag has allayed those fears.
However, the manager did say that none of the currently sidelined players are likely to be back in action by the weekend.
‘They [Varane and Fernandes] fought to be part and they came well out of the game,’ Ten Hag told a press conference on Thursday.
‘I think they will be available for Sunday. I don’t think players will return for Sunday.’
Harry Maguire missed the trip to Nottingham Forest on Wednesday and is now set to miss the Manchester derby, although the nature of his injury has not been confirmed.
Raphael Varane is likely to play at Manchester City on Sunday (Picture: Getty Images)
The rest of the players on the injured list were not expected to be back this weekend, with longer term fitness problems to worry about.
Luke Shaw, Lisandro Martinez, Anthony Martial, Tyrell Malacia, Rasmus Hojlund, Mason Mount and Aaron Wan-Bissaka are all recovering from injuries.
Ten Hag said after the win on Wednesday that Fernandes had played on despite struggling with a ‘serious injury’ ahead of the game, while the Dutchman also accused Forest players of targeting the midfielder.
The following day he repeated the accusation and called for referees to protect his captain: ‘Opponents are targeting him, that is not right. Referees should protect him.’
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