JACK GREALISH is OUT of Manchester City’s Community Shield clash with United after suffering a late injury.
Grealish was in line to start at Wembley after being hailed by Pep Guardiola for his bright pre-season performances.
But SunSport understands the forward picked up an injury in training just before the Manchester derby in the capital.
It comes as the latest setback for Grealish, who was a shock omission from Gareth Southgate’s Euro 2024 squad.
The playmaker watched from home as the Three Lions lost their second consecutive Euros final.
But Grealish looked to have bounced back well during City’s pre-season tour and earned high praise from boss Guardiola.
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He said: “What I’ve seen so far here, one week in the pre-season on tour, I loved it.
“I don’t care how he performs, it’s every session his commitment and his trying, against Barcelona he made five or six shots, he was aggressive with the ball, that’s all, after that his quality will do the rest.
“I know he’ll be a father soon and we’re so happy for that. All I ask of the players is that – you like to play football, yes, so play.
“Hopefully he can sustain it until the end of the season and like the rest compete with everyone for one place in the starting XI, that depends on him.
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“What I see in behaviours, in training and how you’re performing, as well as you do the more chance you have.”
Guardiola is also without England trio Phil Foden, John Stones and Kyle Walker as well as Spain’s Rodri.
He said: “We try to give them the best rest as possible as much as possible. We would like more time but it is what it is, we gave them a lot.
“All the players came back, the England players and Rodri will come back next week.
“What we like to give them is what it is, don’t think about the schedule.
“What’s next, training sessions, it’s just step by step, the next game, try to be smart enough to the training and the right amount of time, so be fresh in the mind.
“So rotate the players as much as possible, and game by game we’ll see what happens.”
Guardiola confirmed Grealish suffered a late niggle which ruled him out of playing against United.
He said: “Unfortunately Jack was a little bit niggles. He had some discomfort and didn’t feel good yesterday.
“The mentality will be to try and play.”
And the midfielder posted a heartfelt message on his Instagram story while watching the game from home
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In support of his squad ahead of today’s game, he wrote “Come on the boys. Gutted to not be out there today but will hopefully be back as soon as possible.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
