Pep Guardiola confirms Jack Grealish injury and makes Aston Villa comment

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has confirmed Jack Grealish might have suffered a recurrence of the same injury which ruled him out for months of action last season.

Grealish missed 12 matches for Aston Villa last term due to a persistent shin problem and he has picked up a similar issue this week.

The England international is missing from City's squad to face Norwich City this evening and reports suggest he could be injured for up to a month with assessments pending.

Grealish left boyhood club Villa for a Premier League record £100million transfer fee to join City in the summer and will be devastated if the injury rules him out of action for a considerable amount of time.

Man City manager Guardiola said pre-match: "He's injured. A little bit what he had last season at Villa, less of course.

"Training after Brentford he wasn't good, we make a test, he wasn't ready today."

However, contrary to reports, Guardiola claims Grealish could be ready to play in City's Champions League tie against Sporting on Tuesday night.

The 26-year-old has made a slow start to life at the Etihad having scored three goals in 25 appearances in all competitions, but he will back himself to come back stronger from his latest injury blow.

The former Villa talisman has only registered one Premier League goal contribution since the end of October and has taken some time to find his feet in City's system.