Just days before the start of the 2024-25 Premier League season, reports have surfaced claiming that Manchester City starlet Oscar Bobb has sustained a leg fracture in training.
The 21-year-old, who moved from his native Norway to join Man City's academy in 2019, was a standout performer for the Citizens during their pre-season tour of the United States earlier this summer.
Bobb contributed with two goals and three assists in four matches across the pond, before setting up Bernardo Silva for City's equaliser in the Community Shield against Manchester United last weekend, with the Citizens going on to win the annual curtain-raiser on penalties.
With many of Man City's senior stars absent during pre-season following their international exploits, Bobb was tipped by many to start for Pep Guardiola's side in their opening match of the new Premier League season away against Chelsea on Sunday.
However, the versatile attacker is now facing a lengthy spell on the sidelines as he is alleged to have suffering a fracture to a bone in his leg during a non-contact situation in Wednesday's training session.
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How long could Bobb be out for and what games could he miss?
Man City are yet to confirm reports of Bobb's injury and Guardiola is sure to provide an update on the youngster's situation at a pre-match press conference on Friday.
However, if Bobb has indeed sustained a leg fracture, then he will likely face between six and eight weeks on the sidelines.
Information provided on the NHS website states that this is usually the length of time required to recover from a minor fracture, although more severe fractures in the leg can take between three and six months to fully heal.
The Mirror reports that Man City are looking at the possibility of sending Bobb to Barcelona to be examined by renowned specialist Dr Ramon Cugat, who has dealt with previous Citizens players, although there is hope inside the Etihad Stadium that the youngster's injury is not as serious as first feared.
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A separate report from The Athletic states that Man City hope to have the eight-cap Norway international back in action before the end of 2024, as initial checks suggest that his injury is not a serious break.
Bobb is therefore expected to miss at least the first few months of the season, including City's Premier League fixtures against Chelsea, Ipswich Town and West Ham United to conclude the month of August.
The attacker is also expected to be sidelined for a challenging encounter against title rivals Arsenal at the Etihad in the middle of September, sandwiched between fixtures against Brentford and Newcastle United, while City are also set to be without their No.52 for the start of their Champions League campaign which begins next month.
In October, Man City are scheduled to face Fulham, Wolverhampton Wanderers and Southampton, before preparing for encounters with Bournemouth, Brighton & Hove Albion, Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool in November - games that Bobb could also miss in the first half of this season.
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Who could replace Bobb in the Man City lineup?
Bobb is comfortable operating on either flank or in a central attacking role, but had he been fit for Man City's Premier League opener against Chelsea, he would have likely started on the right wing.
His absence opens the door for new signing Savinho to potentially make his competitive debut for the Citizens; the Brazilian can play on either wing and recorded nine goals and 10 assists in 37 La Liga games on loan at Girona last season.
Bernardo Silva is another who has featured regularly for City on the right side of attack and is in contention to start on Sunday, while Jeremy Doku is another winger at Guardiola's disposal.
Doku could, however, be handed a start on the left flank against Chelsea as Jack Grealish - who missed the Community Shield - has emerged as a fitness doubt.
Meanwhile, Guardiola will soon have last season's Premier League Player of the Season Phil Foden available to him, although it remains to be seen whether he will return for Saturday's opening fixture.
After representing Euro 2024 runners-up England earlier this summer, Foden was given an extended break and subsequently missed City's entire pre-season programme, as well as the Community Shield, and he is expected to return to training for the first time at some stage this week.
Oliver Thomas
