Pep Guardiola is expected back at Manchester City on Wednesday after back surgery kept him away from the club for more than three weeks.
The 52-year-old was complaining of pain over the summer and underwent an ‘emergency’ operation performed by Dr Mireia Illueca in Barcelona.
City maintained that the procedure was routine but it did mean Guardiola missed two Premier League matches before the international break.
Assistant manager Juanma Lillo took charge of victories, a dramatic last-gasp win away at Sheffield United before City then thumped Fulham 5-1, with Erling Haaland netting a hat-trick.