Could Jack Grealish return this weekend for Manchester City against Nottingham Forest? Pep Guardiola’s side is in the midst of an injury crisis with Bernardo Silva’s injury against Red Star Belgrade, but it does appear there may be some good news on the horizon.
With the treble winners back in training yesterday following their win over Red Star, images posted to the Manchester City Twitter account show winger Jack Grealish back in first-team training. It would be a welcome return for the champions with Grealish having been out of action since the Fulham game. The England international has missed City’s past three games plus England’s most recent internationals due to injury.
The hard work never stops 💪 pic.twitter.com/laeOMoSqWH
— Manchester City (@ManCity) September 20, 2023
Pep Guardiola spoke after City’s opening Champions League win and said he expected Grealish to return in 7-10 days. He told the media: “Unfortunately it is a long time for Kevin. John didn’t play, it’s a little bit long. Maybe Kova is coming back. Jack maybe in a week or 10 days, but after he needs his condition.”
The City boss also told the media that competition between Jeremy Doku and Jack Grealish for the left-wing role would be healthy for the treble winners. He said before City’s game with Red Star Belgrade: “We need, you know, Jack to compete with Jeremy Doku and how important it is both feeling [they have] to play good to maintain and be in the squad. Otherwise, it is difficult to sustain for a long time.”
It appears that Guardiola and City are closer to having Grealish back, and therefore the healthy competition between the two left-wingers can begin. Grealish potentially returning this weekend will also reinforce the Manchester City squad.