Manchester City and England suffer concerning injury blow as star sidelined in fresh Pep Guardiola woe

Pep Guardiola and Gareth Southgate are waiting to discover the extent of Jack Grealish’s injury setback, after the Manchester City forward missed Saturday’s thrashing of Fulham.

The 27-year-old became the latest Manchester City star to suffer an injury, as a thigh problem forced the Englishman to miss the Blues’ win over Fulham at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

Manchester City maintained their perfect start to the campaign with a thumping 5-1 win over Marco Silva’s side, as Erling Haaland’s second-half hat-trick propelled the treble-winners to a fourth consecutive Premier League victory.

Juanma Lillo, who continues to take charge of the treble-winners amid Pep Guardiola’s absence, handed a Manchester City and Premier League debut to new signing Jeremy Doku, as Jack Grealish became the latest absentee due to injury.

The England forward had started the Blues’ previous two Premier League matches against Newcastle and Sheffield United, but was absent from the matchday squad for this weekend’s win over Fulham.

Manchester City’s next Premier League match is against West Ham on Saturday 16th September, following the conclusion of the upcoming international break.

Grealish’s availability for both Manchester City and England is a notable concern however, after Gareth Southgate named the 27-year-old as part of his Three Lions squad for upcoming matches against Ukraine and Scotland.

Pep Guardiola is also without both Kevin De Bruyne and John Stones due to injury, as well as Manchester City allowing England U21 pair Cole Palmer and James McAtee to leave the Etihad Stadium on Deadline Day.

Palmer completed a £42.5 million move to Chelsea, meanwhile McAtee rejoined Sheffield United on a season-long loan.

Manchester City assistant manager Junama Lillo admitted following Saturday’s win, that Grealish’s thigh injury would likely force the winger to miss the upcoming England international fixtures.

“Difficult for Jack [Grealish] to make it for the [England] national team call-up. I am not a doctor and it will be difficult for me to explain.”

Grealish was one of four Manchester City players to be called-up to the England squad; alongside Kyle Walker, Kalvin Phillips and Phil Foden.