Manchester City manager Josep Guardiola has given a concerning update regarding the fitness of forward Jack Grealish.
The treble-winning side will host local rivals Manchester United at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday afternoon ahead of a crucial month of Premier League action, and will face title rivals Liverpool and Arsenal. A match is also scheduled.
Manchester City are aiming for a record-breaking fourth consecutive Premier League title, but are currently in the middle of a three-team battle, with Liverpool, City and Arsenal just two points behind.
Josep Guardiola’s side head to Anfield next week before a crucial derby against Manchester United this weekend, with the Sky Blues currently unbeaten in 18 games in all competitions.
City, who have won five of the last six Manchester derbies, defeated Luton Town 6-2 in the fifth round of the Emirates FA Cup on Tuesday night, with Erling Haaland scoring five superb goals. Ta.
The cup game at Kenilworth Road also marks Jack Grealish’s return from injury, with the 28-year-old making his first start since picking up a groin problem against FC Copenhagen in the UEFA Champions League last month. I accomplished it.
Grealish, who played 50 games during the Blues’ treble-winning campaign last season, suffered a fresh injury against the Hatters in midweek and was sent off midway through the first half.
The forward is currently set to be sidelined for a while longer and it is doubtful whether he will feature in Manchester City’s upcoming important games in the Premier League and FA Cup quarter-finals.
Ahead of Sunday’s meeting with United, Guardiola revealed Grealish was unlikely to return before the next international break and ruled the England international out of the next four matches.
“No, I don’t think so. He needs to recover well to get the best out of him. I didn’t speak to Gareth (Southgate),” Guardiola replied.
“He won’t be fit this weekend. We don’t know when he’ll be back. Life is full of setbacks, but he’ll get through them.”
As well as the important Premier League matches, City will face Newcastle United in the FA Cup quarter-finals this month and will host FC Copenhagen in the Champions League last-16 second leg on Tuesday night.
City head into the match with a 3-1 lead on aggregate, with the Sky Blues aiming to reach the last eight of European competition.