Pep Guardiola provides initial injury assessment on Jack Grealish following Copenhagen withdrawal | OneFootball

Jack Grealish appears to have sustained a ‘muscular’ problem during Manchester City’s 1-3 UEFA Champions League win over Copenhagen, Pep Guardiola has admitted.

The England international was making his first start for Manchester City after an extended period away from Pep Guardiola’s starting line-ups, amid attempts to re-find his rhythm and standards in training sessions.

Grealish showcased a promising start to the match, drawing in his usual challenges from opponents whilst also controlling possession for Manchester City perfectly in the way Guardiola would have intended tactically.

However, the former Aston Villa man’s outing at Parken was cut short after just 21 minutes, with Jeremy Doku taking his place in the match after sustaining an injury blow without challenge from opposition players.

Speaking to TNT Sports after the contest in Denmark, Pep Guardiola revealed his belief that Jack Grealish had sustained a ‘muscular’ injury in the first-half against Copenhagen following a string of ‘much better’ training sessions from the forward.

“Something muscular, I think so,” Guardiola said. “It’s a little bit in the groin. I don’t know perfectly but it’s a pity because these type of games, we need this type of tempo, the control.”

He continued, “I think Bernardo (Silva) and Jack (Grealish), they help us a lot to make extra passes in the right moment to attack. In the last days, the training sessions were much better, and it’s a pity that he got injured, but it is what it is.”

Further testing on Jack Grealish’s injury is expected to take place on Wednesday afternoon upon Manchester City’s arrival back at the City Football Academy, however it remains unlikely that he will play any part in the weekend’s clash with Chelsea.

City are however expected to welcome back Mateo Kovacic to their matchday set-up, with the Croatian expected to continue training later this week and make himself available following one-game ruled out with a knee injury.