Manchester City have announced that goalkeeper Ederson will miss the club's final two matches of the season due to injury.
The 30-year-old was named in the Citizens' starting lineup for the 43rd time this season across all competitions when they locked horns with Tottenham Hotspur in North London on Tuesday night.
However, Ederson was withdrawn midway through the second half following a forceful collision with Spurs defender Cristian Romero at the back post.
Following a lengthy period receiving treatment on the pitch, Ederson was deemed fit to continue by the club's medical team, but just a few minutes later, they had a change of heart and decided that it was best for the Brazilian to be brought off on the 69-minute mark.
Ederson was visibly enraged at being withdrawn and vented his anger as he made his way to the bench, but his replacement Stefan Ortega inspired Man City to a crucial 2-0 win over Spurs, as he made a number of important saves, while Erling Haaland at the other end scored both goals for the title-chasing visitors.
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Ederson sustains fractured eye socket
After the match, manager Pep Guardiola confirmed that Ederson is not dealing with concussion, but he has "a problem with his eye" and was advised by the club's doctor to make the substitution as the goalkeeper "could not see properly".
Man City have since released a statement on their official website confirming that Ederson has sustained a "small fracture of his eye socket" and will miss the rest of the season.
"Manchester City can confirm that Ederson will miss the final two games of the season due to a small fracture of his eye socket," a statement read.
"The Brazilian goalkeeper suffered the injury during our 2-0 win at Tottenham Hotspur on Tuesday evening. He has since undergone scans of the affected area that have revealed a small fracture to the right eye socket.
"The injury will prevent Ederson from playing any further part in the remaining games of the 2023-24 season. Everyone at the club wishes Ederson a speedy recovery."
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What games will Ederson miss? Who will replace him?
Ederson has now been ruled out of Manchester City's Premier League title decider at home against West Ham United on Sunday.
The Citizens currently sit top of the table and two points clear of title challengers Arsenal in second, and Guardiola's side know that a victory against the Hammers at the Etihad Stadium will clinch a record fourth consecutive title.
Ederson will also miss the second successive Manchester derby FA Cup final against rivals Manchester United on May 25, with Man City bidding to retain the trophy and potentially complete another domestic double.
In the absence of Ederson, Ortega will play between the sticks, and the German received plenty of praise from his manager and teammates following his superb cameo appearance off the bench against Spurs.
Ortega - who has made 18 appearances for Man City in all competitions this season, including four outings as a substitute - has saved 11 of the 13 shots on target he has faced when coming on as a substitute in the Premier League this season (85%), including each of the last 11 in a row.
Meanwhile, Man City are set to assess playmaker Kevin De Bruyne before Sunday's clash with West Ham after he picked up a knock to his Achilles in midweek.
Oliver Thomas
