City Could Be Facing Double Fitness Blow Ahead Of Copenhagen And Chelsea Games This Week

Manchester City’s Mateo Kovacic and Josko Gvardiol were absent from training on Monday, as reported by Tyrone Marshall of the Manchester Evening News. The two Croatian international players were expected to participate in a training session ahead of the Champions League last 16 first leg match against FC Copenhagen on Tuesday, but neither player was present.

While the official word from City is that the squad is fully fit, manager Pep Guardiola will provide an injury update during his pre-match press conference. This news comes as a blow to the team, especially with the upcoming busy schedule.

Kovacic, in particular, could potentially miss the chance to face his former club, Chelsea, in the upcoming weekend match. As a former Chelsea player, it would have been an opportunity for him to play against his old team, but his recovery is now in question.

The absence of Kovacic and Gvardiol is far from ideal for City, given the series of important matches coming up. After the Copenhagen and Chelsea games, they have another midweek match against Brentford, followed by fixtures against Bournemouth, Luton (in the FA Cup), Manchester United, and Copenhagen over the next three weeks. The only extended break in their schedule will be between the Brighton and Liverpool matches in mid-March.

It will be crucial for the squad to have both players back available soon, as they navigate through this challenging period. Guardiola will be hoping for a swift recovery for Kovacic and Gvardiol, as City aim to maintain their strong form in their upcoming matches.