Pep Guardiola delivers worrying injury update on Bernardo Silva ahead of Chelsea showdown

Manchester City midfield star Bernardo Silva sustained a “big knock” to his ankle during the 1-3 win away to Copenhagen on Tuesday night.

The Portugal international was at the heart of all of Manchester City’s excellent attacking work in their UEFA Champions League last-16 first-leg against FC Copenhagen this week, scoring the holders’ second of the night on the stroke of half-time.

Combining to full effect with Kevin De Bruyne inside the Copenhagen penalty area, Bernardo Silva expertly lifted the ball over the in-form Kamil Grabara from an angle to regain Manchester City’s lead after gifting the hosts an equaliser earlier in the half.

However, Silva’s game would be cut short with 15 minutes of regulation time remaining in the game, after a heavy challenge from Kevin Diks left the midfielder hobbling and with a shredded ankle sock, with the tackle itself only punished by a yellow card.

Addressing the media after the contest in the Danish capital, Pep Guardiola said of Bernardo Silva’s substitution following a heavy challenge from Kevin Diks, “Bernardo has a big knock in his ankle.”

Guardiola is hoping that the 29-year-old’s injury concern is not a major problem and that he will recover in time for Manchester City’s upcoming Premier League battle with Mauricio Pochettino’s Chelsea on Saturday evening.

“Hopefully Bernardo (Silva) is not a big issue,” the Manchester City manager continued. “In a few days we have Chelsea at home and we have to recover as quickly as possible.”

Bernardo Silva is one of a number of injury concerns for Pep Guardiola as his side travel back to Manchester on Wednesday afternoon, with Jack Grealish being the most severe of the problems sustained this week.

The England international – in what was his first start for the club in several games – was forced off with what appeared to be a groin problem, but the full extent of the injury will require further testing at the City Football Academy.