Jack Grealish sustains damning injury blow to end Manchester City return

Manchester City’s Jack Grealish was forced off in Copenhagen after 21 minutes with an injury on his return to Pep Guardiola’s starting line-up.

The England international has been left out of Manchester City’s recent outings across all competitions, with his manager explaining that the forward was building up his levels back to his usual standards in training sessions.

Grealish was utilised in the front-three of Manchester City’s line-up against Copenhagen at Parken, alongside Erling Haaland and Phil Foden as the reigning Champions of Europe looked to take a positive result into their second-leg at the Etihad Stadium in the round of 16.

However, Grealish’s return to the line-up only lasted 21 minutes after sustaining what appeared to be a groin problem when stretching for a loose ball. Despite attempting to continue, Jeremy Doku replaced the Englishman.

Jack Grealish was left visibly distraught by his latest setback in a stop-start season for the former Aston Villa captain, and the latest problem in the campaign could throw his starting position in Pep Guardiola’s side into doubt.

Manchester City return to action following their outing in the Danish capital by taking on Chelsea in Premier League action at the Etihad Stadium, before hosting Brentford in their game in hand just three days later.

Pep Guardiola provided an early diagnosis on Jack Grealish’s injury problem when he addressed the media following Manchester City’s clash with FC Copenhagen at Parken, believing that it is a muscular problem.

“I didn’t speak to the doctor,” said Pep Guardiola. “But it looks like it’s muscular for Jack (Grealish).”

Tests at Manchester City’s training base will take place tomorrow to understand the full extend of the injury, according to Pep Guardiola, with a further update expected to be delivered during Friday afternoon’s pre-Chelsea press conference.