Pep Guardiola has explained how long Manchester City will be without Savinho after the winger missed out on Saturday’s fixture with West Ham.
Manchester City are looking to keep their perfect start to the Premier League season going on Saturday when they take on West Ham United.
The campaign might only be three days old but the injury bug has already bitten Pep Guardiola’s squad, with Phil Foden not recovering in time to return to the side and Oscar Bobb still sidelined for months.
There was some good news on Saturday as midfield due Mateo Kovacic and Rodri made the trip to the London Stadium, with the Spaniard involved for the first time this season after being given extra time to get back to full fitness.
However, good news must always come with the bad and City are without exciting livewire Savinho for the game.
The Brazilian has made a great start to life at City but has been ruled out of the game, with Jack Grealish taking his place in the starting XI.
Thankfully, it doesn’t appear that it is a serious injury.
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Savinho injury latest
Speaking ahead of the game, Guardiola revealed that Savinho has suffered a knee injury which has kept him out of action.
According to the Manchester Evening News’ Simon Bajkowski, Guardiola said Savio will have: “10 days off and hopefully he can recover.”
The manager told Sky Sports before the game: “He don’t feel good, some problems with the knee. Hopefully with 10 days off he can be back after the international break.”
The first international break of the season comes after this weekend so Savinho will have a good two weeks to get better before City return to action against Brentford on September 14.
The Brazilian picked up two assists in the 4-1 win over Ipswich Town and is already a firm favourite amongst supporters after just three appearances.
A big chance for Jack Grealish
Grealish has been given the nod in the starting XI in Savinho’s absence and it’s a big chance he has to take.
The winger was crucial to the treble triumph but fell out of favour last season, with Grealish losing his place in the England squad for Euro 2024 as a result.
Grealish enjoyed a strong pre-season and looked likely to get a starting berth at the start of the campaign but an injury setback before the Community Shield derailed his progress.
Now given his first start of the season, Grealish needs to take the opportunity with both hands so he can establish himself as a regular starter again.
Guardiola said when asked if he wants to see hunger from Grealish on the pitch: “I hope so.
“Always what the manager wants every single game and every single but a lot of games, you have sometimes you have ups and downs.
“Always the quality is there. He had a really good season but unfortunately, some injuries stopped him a little bit. Hopefully, he can take his rhythm for the season.”
