Mateo Kovacic

Kovacic is set to undergo heel surgery in the coming days and will be sidelined until February, according to Sportske Novosti.

Kovacic (ankle) is set to miss time since he is still suffering from complications, coach Pep Guardiola said in a press conference, according to City Xtra. "He has a problem still with the ankle, and a little complications still there. We'll wait on him for the last part of the season."

Kovacic played his first minutes of the season in Saturday's 2-0 win against Everton but will see limited minutes moving forward, coach Pep Guardiola said in a press conference. "He has a special quality with the ball to keep it but we cannot forget that he has come from surgery and had three or four months injured. I don't want Kovacic for 90 minutes, 90 minutes, 90 minutes. In time, he will get it but I don't have the feeling that he is ready to play it now. For 20 minutes, 30 minutes, 60 minutes, Kova with Bernie and the older players, they are extraordinary, they are fantastic."

Kovacic featured with Croatia over the international break and is building his fitness levels, according to manager Pep Guardiola. "He started 50-60 minutes, step-by-step. He needs to give us quality moments, quality time and quality minutes. Step-by-step, but it's important he's back."

Kovacic (Achilles) is on the bench for Saturday's game against Burnley.