Manchester City suffer worrying injury blow ahead of Crystal Palace Premier League game

Pep Guardiola is sweating over the fitness of Kalvin Phillips who had to be replaced in the second half against Barcelona on Wednesday night.

The England international appeared to have picked up an injury and despite attempts to carry on, had to be helped off the pitch.

The midfielder who joined Manchester City in the summer from Leeds United was only starting his first game for the club this season and the injury set back is a blow to his chances of getting  game time in the Premier League this weekend.

He was having a good game before appearing to injure what looked like a shoulder injury, and tried as he did to continue, he ultimately had to give in and come off.

Phillips has a history of suffering shoulder injuries and Manchester City manager Pep Gaurdiola will be desperate to avoid losing men this early in the season.

Young defender Luke Mbete also suffered what appeared to look like an injury to his head and had to be taken off on the stretcher.

Manchester City are already without Nathan Ake who came off early against Newcastle United while Aymeric Laporte has also not played this season due to a knee problem.

Last season Crystal Palace stormed the Etihad and took all three points and they will be looking to cause an upset again this weekend.

Patrick Vieira’s side lost to Arsenal on the opening day of the season but have since recovered to hold Liverpool to a 1-1 draw at Anfield before beating Aston Villa comprehensively at Selhurst.

Patrick Vieira as Palace manager has not lost a game to Pep Guardiola, making this weekend’s game a potential banana peel for the Premier League champions.