Manchester City's manager, Pep Guardiola, has confirmed that two key players are on the verge of returning from injury. Despite missing out on Saturday’s trip to Bournemouth, Jack Grealish and Josko Gvardiol are expected to be back in action soon.
After a triumphant return to winning ways against Brentford on Tuesday, Manchester City is looking forward to building another impressive run of victories. The team will be back on the road after two home matches as they prepare to face Bournemouth in the Premier League.
While Kevin De Bruyne is likely set for a comeback after sitting out Tuesday’s game due to injury concerns, two more players remain sidelined.
Grealish and Gvardiol still unavailable for Bournemouth clash
In his pre-match press conference ahead of the Bournemouth match, Guardiola revealed that both Jack Grealish and Josko Gvardiol are still unavailable due to injuries.
Manchester City manager, Pep Guardiola, said:
“I think this week no, but it’s closer. I don’t know exactly I didn’t speak to the doctors but they are closer.”
Gvardiol has been sidelined since early February following a 2-0 win over Everton where he suffered minor ankle ligament damage. On the other hand, winger Jack Grealish had an early exit during his first start in a month against FC Copenhagen last week due to a muscle injury which fortunately isn't as severe as initially feared.
The sooner these key players return, the better it will be for Man City's performance and strategy moving forward.
Akanji and Ake have again rescued City in the league table
In light of these absences, Manuel Akanji has been admirably filling in at left-back in place of Gvardiol while Nathan Ake also proves capable. However, Man City have noticeably lacked the pace brought by Croatian player Josko Gvardiol on flank positions.
Despite not having started yet in Premier League matches this year, Grealish demonstrated his value in the 20 minutes he played against Copenhagen. The team lost their dominance on the ball when Grealish had to leave due to his injury, as his composure and ability to maintain possession were sorely missed.
With important matches looming, Manchester City fans are hopeful that these key players will return sooner rather than later. Their presence on the field not only boosts team performance but also adds depth and versatility to Guardiola's tactical options.
While injuries are an unfortunate part of sports, they also provide opportunities for other players to step up and prove their worth. As Manchester City continues its quest for another winning streak, fans eagerly await the return of Jack Grealish and Josko Gvardiol.
