Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has confirmed that Jack Grealish will miss Saturday's Premier League clash against Chelsea at the Etihad Stadium.
After suffering with illness earlier this year, Grealish was handed just his second start of 2024 in City's 3-1 win over Copenhagen in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie on Tuesday.
However, the attacker was forced off in the 21st minute with an apparent groin problem following a collision with Copenhagen's Diogo Goncalves; Grealish initially attempted to carry on but eventually limped off down the tunnel.
Guardiola revealed after the match that Grealish has sustained a "muscular" injury and club doctors have since informed him that the Englishman will not be fit to feature against Chelsea this weekend.
Speaking at a press conference on Friday, Guardiola said: "Jack I think will not be ready. I don't know [his condition]. I need to speak with the doctors. I only know he is not able to play tomorrow."
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Grealish's injury is not thought to be a serious one, and according to The Telegraph journalist Mike McGrath, the attacker is expected to be ruled out for two to three weeks.
The 28-year-old will be joined in the treatment room by defender Josko Gvardiol, who is also sidelined for two to three weeks with an ankle ligament injury.
Like Grealish, Bernardo Silva was also withdrawn in the midweek win against Copenhagen after picking up a "big knock" to his ankle midway through the second half.
However, Guardiola has confirmed that the playmaker will be assessed in training on Friday afternoon and therefore has a chance of featuring in Saturday's matchday squad.
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Meanwhile, Mateo Kovacic and Sergio Gomez have both returned to training on Friday and are in contention to play against Chelsea.
Former Blues midfielder Kovacic has missed City's last two games with a minor knee problem, while Gomez has not been involved in any of the last three matches with an unspecified issue.
Man City are looking to extend their winning run across all competitions to 12 matches when they play host to a Chelsea side who have won their last two away games by a 3-1 scoreline.
The Citizens, who were involved in a thrilling 4-4 draw with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge earlier this season, currently sit two points behind Premier League leaders Liverpool, but that gap could increase to five points if the Reds beat Brentford in Saturday's lunchtime kickoff.
Oliver Thomas
