Pep Guardiola confirms Kevin De Bruyne and Ederson injury blow – Jack Grealish boost revealed

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has confirmed a double injury blow ahead of Saturday’s FA Cup quarter-final clash with Newcastle United.

Pep Guardiola and Eddie Howe are preparing to meet for a fourth time this season on Saturday evening, with Manchester City and Newcastle United clashing at the Etihad Stadium for a place in the semi-finals of the Emirates FA Cup.

Manchester City were knocked-out of the Carabao Cup in the fourth round by Newcastle at St James’ Park earlier this season, but were victorious in both Premier League meetings between the two sides – winning 1-0 at the Etihad Stadium and 2-3 on Tyneside.

Kevin De Bruyne marked his Premier League return following a five-month absence in the victory at St James’ Park in January, scoring the equalising goal and assisting Oscar Bobb’s last-gasp winner.

The 32-year-old is set be one of two major absentees for this weekend’s meeting however, with both the Belgian international and goalkeeper Ederson ruled out of the quarter-final due to injury.

De Bruyne, who will also miss upcoming international friendlies against both Spain and England due to the injury, has been ruled out of Saturday’s FA Cup clash with Newcastle due to a groin problem.

Ederson has also sustained a muscular injury, with the shot-stopper facing up to a month on the sidelines following a collision with Darwin Nunez during last Sunday’s 1-1 draw with Liverpool at Anfield.

Speaking ahead of Saturday’s tie with Newcastle, Guardiola confirmed De Bruyne’s injury, saying: “Kevin [De Bruyne] is not ready [against Newcastle]. He played at Anfield with some problems. Getting better, we spoke with Belgium and and I’m grateful so he can recover for rest of the season.”

The City manager also confirmed that Ederson was “getting better” and could return after the international break for the Blues’ showdown Premier League clash against Arsenal.

Guardiola also provided a positive update on the fitness of Jack Grealish, who hasn’t featured since the fifth round win over Luton Town at Kenilworth Round last month.

The Catalonian revealed that the Englishman was “getting better” and is back with the Manchester City first-team group ahead of the quarter-final.