Medical Assessment Following Nottingham Forest Defeat
Manchester City defender Marc Guehi is currently facing a fitness doubt ahead of the upcoming England international camp after sustaining a hip injury during his club’s 3-1 defeat to Nottingham Forest on Saturday, November 7, 2026. The 26-year-old requested to be substituted at half-time, prompting manager Enzo Maresca to remove him as a precautionary measure to prevent further damage. According to BBC Sport, the defender is scheduled to undergo scans on Sunday to determine the severity of the issue and his potential availability for England’s UEFA Nations League fixtures.
While manager Enzo Maresca did not provide a specific diagnosis, he confirmed in his post-match comments reported by NBC Sports that Guehi had requested the change due to physical discomfort. It is understood that the defender has been managing a recurring hip concern in recent weeks, raising concerns about his participation in England’s upcoming high-profile matches. England medical staff are expected to conduct their own evaluation upon his arrival at the national team camp before a final decision is made regarding his inclusion in the squad.
Stakes for England and Manchester City
Guehi has become an essential component of Thomas Tuchel’s England side since the head coach’s appointment in January 2025. His potential absence would be a significant blow for the Three Lions, who are preparing for a crucial Nations League match against Croatia at Wembley on Thursday, November 12, followed by an away fixture against Spain in Madrid on Saturday, November 15. Having started nearly every competitive game under Tuchel, including an extensive run during the World Cup, Guehi’s defensive stability is a key element of England’s tactical setup. He has been a constant presence in the national team, starting all four of the side’s Nations League fixtures held in September and October.
For Manchester City, the injury adds to a challenging period for the club, which has now lost three consecutive Premier League games. The defensive unit, which has struggled to keep clean sheets in recent weeks, is currently under scrutiny, and the uncertainty surrounding Guehi’s fitness complicates Maresca’s attempts to stabilize the team’s back line. City’s defensive vulnerabilities have been highlighted by a sequence where they have conceded goals in each of their last eight matches, with the team allowing 24 goals over the past 27 days. The club will be hoping that the international break provides the necessary window for recovery, provided the upcoming medical tests do not reveal a long-term issue. Maresca acknowledged the difficulty of the recent run, noting that the team is still in a phase of learning and adaptation, but the immediate priority remains the health of key defensive personnel like Guehi, whose fitness has been a recurring concern since the previous international break.