Manchester City winger Jack Grealish has apparently picked up a thigh injury which is expected to keep him sidelined for at least the international break.
The Englishman was named by Gareth Southgate in England’s squad for the international break but is now expected to pull out of the squad awaiting further updates on his fitness.
Grealish was missing from City’s squad in their Premier League against Fulham on Saturday. Stand-in boss Juanma Lillo was asked about the extent of the injury and he said: “It’s going to be difficult for Jack to make it for the national team call up. But I’m not a doctor and it would be difficult for me to explain.”
Lillo is City’s assistant coach and has assumed the roles of the head coach in Pep Guardiola’s absence as the main man is missing due to a back injury.
It is understood that Grealish picked up a minor thigh injury in City’s previous league outing against Sheffield United last weekend.
It is not yet known whether the 27-year-old’s injury will only affect England or if he will also miss out on games for his club after the international break.
It is surely set to upset Southgate though as his side take on Ukraine in their next UEFA Euro 2024 qualifiers, as the Three Lions look to solidify their qualifying claims.
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They will also face Scotland in a friendly later next week. In-form Raheem Sterling is likely to replace Grealish in the England squad.
In the Englishman’s absence, new signing Jeremy Doku made his debut starting in attack for the Cityzens as they ran riot against Fulham beating the Cottagers 5-1.
The champions will miss the services of the Englishman though, if he is to remain out for an extended period as he has grown in importance after a brilliant season last time out in the sky blue shirt.
But Guardiola has a squad full of talent and with the addition of Doku. They are unlikely to miss Grealish too much.
City have seen the return of Manuel Akanji as the Swiss international returned to the squad against Fulham on Saturday. But they are still without captain Kevin De Bruyne and defender John Stones.
De Bruyne is likely to miss out for an extended period of time while Stones could return back to training during the later stages of the international break or right after.
City will face in-form West Ham United in their next league game after the international break.
