Pep Guardiola gives Jack Grealish injury update after Man City star forced off v Copenhagen

Pep Guardiola revealed Jack Grealish suffered a groin injury in Manchester City’s win over Copenhagen on Tuesday night.

The winger was handed his first start since 7 January as City returned to Champions League action with a tough trip to Denmark. But goals from Kevin De Bruyne, Bernardo Silva and Phil Foden ensured the reigning European champions grabbed a 3-1 victory in the last-16 first leg.

Grealish’s injury added a sour note to what was an excellent night for Guardiola’s side, with the ex-Aston Villa man pulling up after an innocuous challenge from Diogo Goncalves. Grealish immediately indicated to the bench that he was in real discomfort, before dropping to the deck and receiving on-field treatment.

After trying to soldier on, the 28-year-old was replaced by Jeremy Doku in the 21st minute. Speaking after the game, Guardiola revealed the extent of the problem.

“Something muscular,” he told TNT Sports. “A little bit in the groin. I don’t know, but it's a pity because these games we need the tempo and control, and I think Bernardo and Jack help us to make the passes in the right moment to attack. The training session was much better but it's a pity that he gets injured.”

As Guardiola alluded to, the timing of Grealish's injury is a real blow, after the City boss said on Friday that he needed to 'demand' more from himself.

“He's doing the steps to get to his best level and now is competing with players at a high level," Guardiola said last week. "He has to demand himself to get back where he was, especially last season and all the time in Villa. I'm looking forward to give him minutes."

Grealish was named on the bench in the subsequent game against Everton but made his overdue return to the side in Copenhagen.

Asked for his view on City's performance in the Danish capital, Guardiola said: "Really good. I'm so proud and we played with the tempo. The play we played today was perfect. We were patient, right moments, they are so organised.

"It's not done, the third goal helped us a lot. Hopefully we can finish at home with our people to go to the next game."