Man City notebook - Grealish question, Champions League confusion, loan exit and transfer latest

Pep Guardiola was full of praise for Real Madrid after learning Manchester City's Champions League draw - declaring it a 'tradition' that the two sides meet after three knockout meetings in as many years.

City were beaten in heartbreaking fashion two years ago at the Bernabeu before producing one of the all-time great Champions League performances last season to reach the final. The third installment of an epic trilogy has been booked in for next month, with City holding home advantage for the second leg in a bid to reach the semi-finals again.

Guardiola also spoke about Jack Grealish's injury and what he must do to rediscover his best form, adding that 'we need him' for the run-in. However, Grealish's return to training appears to clash with his omission from the England squad.

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Guardiola confirmed that - as expected - Ederson and Kevin De Bruyne would miss the Newcastle game and then be assessed to face Arsenal on Easter Sunday. Jack Grealish had initially been expected to be absent until the same week, but has recovered ahead of schedule to put himself in contention to face Newcastle.

"We have a game and then two weeks where he will work hard and clever as possible to be ready when we come back," he said. "The muscle isn’t a muscle a hamstring. The doctor said it's not a big influence, that’s why the recovery is quicker. But he trained the last two or three days really good. He feels good and positive. Tomorrow maybe we'll need him and then especially these two weeks to work well and come back. Then we can