Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has given an update on the fitness of Jack Grealish following his team's FA Cup win over Luton.
City smashed the Hatters 6-2, with Erling Haaland grabbing five goals, but Grealish was forced off in the first half with a groin injury.
Haaland netted a hat-trick before half-time, with Kevin De Bruyne providing the assist for all three of his goals.
De Bruyne also laid on the assist for the Norwegian's fourth goal 10 minutes after the break in a ruthless performance from the treble winners.
Pep Guardiola has provided an update on the fitness of Man City star Jack Grealish
Getty/Man City
But it was another disappointing night for Grealish, who is having a difficult season in terms of form and fitness.
He missed a spell earlier in the campaign with a hamstring injury, while he also limped off in the first leg of the Champions League last-16 tie at FC Copenhagen with a groin problem.
The issue was not deemed serious and he returned to the squad as an unused substitute in Saturday's win at Bournemouth.
He was handed a start at Kenilworth Road on Tuesday but he only lasted 38 minutes before being replaced by Jeremy Doku.
Grealish was visibly upsetGrealish was visibly upset and was consoled on the bench by his team-mates.
Guardiola has confirmed the injury is in the same area as his most recent problem.
He said: "I didn’t speak to the doctor yet but I think he complained about the groin, so maybe quite similar.
"He felt really, really good but unfortunately he was injured again at the beginning of the game."
Asked if Grealish is 'distraught', Guardiola replied: "Of course.
"It has been a tough season for him so now he has to recover well and help us when he is able to come back."
Grealish has made just seven starts in the Premier League this season, with Doku often preferred off the left when both have been fit.
His lack of form and struggles with injury will be a concern for England boss Gareth Southgate ahead of Euro 2024 this summer.
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Jack Grealish was visibly upset after suffering an injury in Man City's win over Luton
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Ahead of the match at Luton, Guardiola challenged Grealish to win his place back in the team in the remaining months of the season.
He said: "He is the same player, he has the same manager, and the way we play has not changed. It's just the way he has performed. That's the difference.
"I said from day one, we need him. He has a special quality for our team. But it depends on him. Hopefully, he can do a good last three months.
"I cannot give players three or four games to get their rhythm. They have to find the rhythm to play for 20 minutes or 90.
Jack Grealish lasted just 38 minutes in Man City's win over Luton
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"At a high level, the team don't wait to be fit. You cannot give someone three or four games to be fit. What about the 10 who don't play? They deserve not to play?
"You have to see the training sessions and all the small details. The players don't have to convince me. They have to convince themselves that they deserve to play.
"[His form] started a little bit late, but in the last month Jack is back in terms of many things, that’s why he played an important game in the Champions League in Copenhagen. Unfortunately, he had a setback in 10-15 minutes."
