Pep Guardiola says 28-year-old is ‘not ready’ to play for Man City vs Copenhagen tomorrow

Pep Guardiola says 28-year-old is ‘not ready’ to play for Man City vs Copenhagen tomorrow

 

Pep Guardiola has confirmed Manchester City will continue to be without a key player when they face FC Copenhagen on Tuesday.

 

 

After a brilliant 3-1 win in the Manchester derby on Sunday, Manchester City will turn their attention back to Champions League competition this week before a massive clash with Liverpool at the weekend.

 

Pep Guardiola’s side take on FC Copenhagen at the Etihad Stadium and hold a 3-1 advantage going into the second leg of the last 16 tie.

 

City are strong favourites to advance to the quarter-finals but will have to do so without Jack Grealish.

 

Jack Grealish.

Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images

Pep Guardiola on Jack Grealish

 

Speaking in his pre-match press conference, Guardiola was asked about Grealish’s chances of playing on Tuesday: “No, tomorrow is not ready.

 

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“I don’t know how long he will be [out for].”

 

City need Jack Grealish back

Grealish has struggled with injuries in recent weeks and is currently on the shelf again with a muscle strain.

 

The 28-year-old first picked up a knock in Demark three weeks ago and was taken off the pitch after just 20 minutes in his first start since January.

 

 

Grealish returned to action shortly afterwards in the FA Cup tie against Luton Town but again wouldn’t make it to half-time.

 

The No.10 suffered a groin strain in the 38th minute and was visibly upset as he sat down in the dugout afterwards.

 

It’s not yet been clarified how long Grealish will be out for but it doesn’t sound like he will be back any time soon.

 

With big matches against Liverpool and Arsenal on the horizon, that’s a massive blow as Grealish has been so vital in helping City control games against tough opposition.

 

They need him back as soon as possible.