Manchester City's preparations for their crucial Premier League encounter with Everton have been dealt a significant blow, with attacking midfielder Jack Grealish now a major doubt for the fixture.
The England international, who has been working his way back to full fitness, has suffered a fresh injury setback during training this week, casting serious doubt over his availability for Saturday's match at the Etihad Stadium.
Training Ground Worry for City
Grealish, who has been sidelined for much of the recent campaign, was nearing a return to first-team action after making positive progress in his recovery. However, the Mirror understands the 28-year-old experienced a problem during a training session, forcing him to withdraw from preparations.
Club medical staff are now assessing the extent of the issue, with manager Pep Guardiola anxiously awaiting news on his creative star. The timing could hardly be worse for the reigning champions, who are locked in a tense title battle with Arsenal.
Guardiola's Selection Headache
This latest development represents another frustration for Guardiola, who has seen his squad repeatedly tested by injuries throughout the season. Grealish's potential absence further limits the Catalan's options in the final third as City look to maintain their relentless pursuit of a historic fourth consecutive league title.
The former Aston Villa captain has struggled to replicate his influential form from last season's treble-winning campaign, with this new setback interrupting his attempts to rediscover his best rhythm and sharpness.
What This Means for City's Title Charge
With just two games remaining in the Premier League season, every selection decision carries monumental weight. Grealish's possible unavailability forces Guardiola to reconsider his tactical approach against an Everton side that has recently found improved defensive resilience under Sean Dyche.
City supporters will hope this is merely a precautionary measure rather than a significant recurrence of previous problems, especially with the FA Cup final against Manchester United looming later this month.
All eyes will be on Guardiola's pre-match press conference for the latest update on Grealish's condition and whether the playmaker has any chance of featuring against the Merseysiders.
