Jack Grealish hit by Pep Guardiola joke as three Man City stars given opportunity

Your evening Manchester City headlines for Monday, July 18.

Pep Guardiola pranks Jack Grealish and five other things spotted on first day of Man City's pre-season tour

On Sunday Manchester City's players took to the training pitch for the first time on their pre-season tour of the United States.

The 26-man Blues squad is currently based at Houston Dynamo's training complex in Houston, ahead of a friendly against Mexican outfit Club America on Thursday. City will then fly up to Wisconsin for a meeting with Bayern Munich at Green Bay's Lambeau Field on Saturday.

City were put through their paces on day one, as temperatures in the southern US city hit the upper 30s. The players still looked to be enjoying themselves though, with Pep Guardiola even pulling off a little prank of his own. Here's what we spotted on the first day.

Read the full story here.

Three Man City players who can take pre-season opportunity amid absent stars

Manchester City will be without John Stones, Ilkay Gundogan and Phil Foden for their pre-season visit to the USA this month.

Aymeric Laporte also misses the flight across the Atlantic. The reasons for their absence have not been disclosed, but all are expected to join up with the squad in time for the Community Shield clash with Liverpool on July 30.

It means Pep Guardiola has been able to stack his 26-man squad with youth. The unavailability of the aforementioned foursome also offers a fantastic opportunity for more senior players.

Read the full story here.

READ NEXT:

Manchester City news homepage

Nathan Ake call enhances Man City transfer reputation

Mahrez jokes about what he'll do now he's signed new deal

Guardiola can't allow Ake decision to impact transfer aim

Man City midfielder joins