Grealish has been one of the stars of pre-season, returning to the CFA with a point to prove after being left out of the England Euro 2024 squad this summer.
The 28-year-old impressed greatly in training under the watchful eye of the boss and then starred on our USA Tour with City heading Stateside.
But the popular winger was unable to face Manchester United in the Community Shield after suffering discomfort in training on the eve of the Wembley showpiece.
Guardiola says the issue isn’t serious and hopes to have him available for selection as we face Enzo Maresca’s side this coming Sunday.
If that exciting encounter is a step too far, the manager expects the Brummie to be fit to face Ipswich Town as we return to the Etihad the following weekend for the start of our home calendar.
“Apparently it’s not much,” said the boss when asked why the playmaker was absent.
“In the last two days, he didn’t feel good, he had discomfort. We trained with the line-up, the starting XI and he was training but in the last two days, especially yesterday, the feeling was not good.
“We talked with the doctors and he was not fine and that’s why we didn’t want to take a risk. I don’t think it’s a big issue but he could not be here.
“It’s a blow because he did pre-season and had rhythm and was aggressive, in the third and fourth game he was really, really good and Jeremy [Doku] was on holiday, Savinho as well.
“But it is what it is. During the season, it happens many times with discomfort and injuries. That’s why we didn’t want to take the risk.
“Maybe against Chelsea, he will be ready. I am pretty sure for Ipswich he will be ready.”
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