LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 31: General view inside the stadium prior to the Premier League match between West Ham United and Norwich City at London Stadium on August 31, 2019 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
Manchester City have been hit with a triple injury concern ahead of their weekend trip to face West Ham in the return of Premier League football.
Pep Guardiola and his players return to English top-flight action following the first international break of the new season, as a large portion of the first-team squad embarked on European Championship and World Cup qualifying matches, as well as friendlies.
Guardiola himself makes a return following a spell away from the club, having undergone emergency surgery on his back in Barcelona and recovering from the operation in his home city, leaving duties up to trusted assistant Juanma Lillo.
Manchester City are dealing with three injuries ahead of their weekend trip to play West Ham in Premier League action.
Pep Guardiola and his players return to English Premier League action after the first international break of the new season, during which a big number of the first-team squad participated in European Championship and World Cup qualifying matches, as well as friendlies.
Guardiola himself returns to the club after a period away, having undergone emergency back surgery in Barcelona and rehabilitating in his hometown, leaving tasks to loyal assistant Juanma Lillo.
While the vast majority of Manchester City’s squad has returned to the City Football Academy for weekend preparations, the club has been hit with a triple injury issue ahead of Saturday’s visit to West Ham United.
Mateo Kovacic was absent from training on Thursday evening, according to Sky Sports News, with local media in Croatia reporting that a muscular problem in his back was the cause for the midfielder missing both of his country’s Euro 2024 qualifiers.
Some believe Kovacic was scheduled for an evaluation when he returned to Manchester this week, but he might be absent for up to 10 days, meaning he would miss this weekend and the Champions League group stage.
Jack Grealish, a forward for City and elsewhere, missed first-team practice and remained injured after pulling out of England’s international roster before their two matches due to a thigh problem.
Before the international break, interim head coach Juanma Lillo stated of Grealish that it would be difficult for him to be called up to the England national team. Because I am not a doctor, it will be challenging for me to explain.
When Grealish might return to Manchester City play is currently uncertain, but Pep Guardiola may give an update on the team’s number 10 when he has a press conference on Friday in the afternoon.
The City Football Academy’s third and last absence from the training session on Thursday night was John Stones. However, according to Juanma Lillo’s most recent update, it is believed that the English defender is “more or less” recovered.
West Ham, which is presently fourth in the Premier League, will present a strong challenge for Manchester City as they aim to keep their perfect record this season intact by winning again this weekend.
