“It’s a good news!” – Manchester City handed unexpected Jack Grealish fitness boost

Manchester City have been handed a surprise fitness boost with Jack Grealish set to return sooner than predicted from a groin injury.

The 28-year-old missed Manchester City’s 1-1 draw with Chelsea at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday evening due to injury, as Pep Guardiola’s side faltered in their pursuit of a fourth successive Premier League title.

Rodri’s thumping strike on the 83rd minute cancelled out Raheem Sterling’s first-half goal, with Manchester City losing ground to both Liverpool and Arsenal as a result of stuttering to a second consecutive draw against Chelsea.

City, who had been enjoying an impressive 11-match winning streak prior to the weekend, were without Jack Grealish and Josko Gvardiol for Saturday’s draw, meanwhile both Bernardo Silva and John Stones were only fit enough to be named amongst the substitutes.

Gvardiol is set to miss a number of weeks due to ankle ligament damage, and Grealish is sidelined as a result of a groin problem suffered against FC Copenhagen last Tuesday.

The England international was forced off within 20 minutes of his first start since early January at the Parken Stadium, with a groin injury proving potentially problematic to both Pep Guardiola and Gareth Southgate.

Grealish, who played a crucial role in the Sky Blues’ treble success, started both the Emirates FA Cup Final and UEFA Champions League Final last season.

The 28-year-old was feared to be facing up to three weeks on the sidelines, ruling the forward out of matches against Brentford, Bournemouth, Luton Town, Manchester United and FC Copenhagen.

City’s showdown clash against Liverpool on Sunday 10th March also looked doubtful for Grealish following initial reports about the extent of the injury.

However, Guardiola and Manchester City have been handed a major boost, with the Englishman potentially back in a matter of days as opposed to weeks.

“It’s not that much or worse than we expected. So it will maybe be 10 days (out),” revealed Guardiola.

“Maybe it could be three weeks or a month, I think it’s less. So it’s a good news!”

A broken machine had caused a delay in confirming Grealish’s prognosis following the club’s return from the Danish capital in midweek.

Grealish will be targeting a return ahead of the Manchester derby at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday 3rd March, with the potential for the forward to feature against either Bournemouth or Luton later this month.