Man City boosted as Grealish injury less bad than feared

Manchester City have been given a boost after medical tests revealed Jack Grealish's injury was not as serious as initially feared.

Grealish limped off during Tuesday's 3-1 UEFA Champions League win over Copenhagen after injuring his groin.

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He missed the 1-1 draw against Chelsea on Saturday but, despite initial concerns that he could be out for a month, there is confidence he could return before the derby against Manchester United on March 3.

“It's not that much, not as bad as expected,” Guardiola said.

“It will take maybe 10 days. It was three weeks or a month but it's less so that's good news.”

Grealish's start against Copenhagen was only his second in 2024 after slipping down the pecking order this season.

Guardiola later revealed the 28-year-old was devastated to be sent off so early against the Danish champions after more than a month on the bench.

“It's a shame, he's exhausted,” Guardiola said after the Copenhagen match.

“In recent days his mood in training was much better.

“He played really well, he was helping us with the tempo. He wanted to continue but we didn't want to do more damage.”

The positive news regarding Grealish's injury means the England midfielder should be ready for a crucial month of matches in March.

City face the Champions League last 16 second leg with Copenhagen, as well as key English Premier League matches against United, Liverpool, Brighton and Arsenal.

Guardiola's side sit third in the table after the draw with Chelsea, four points behind leaders Liverpool and two points behind second-placed Arsenal with a game in hand.