Manchester City boss, Pep Guardiola has said that his team need to have the Jack Grealish of last season back for the closing stages of their latest push for silverware in the FA Cup, Premier League and Champions League this season.

 

 

Grealish, a key part of Man City’s treble success last season, has endured a frustrating campaign this time around.

 

 

The England international missed a month early in the season with a dead leg and a groin problem that has limited him to just one appearance in Man City’s last seven games.

 

He also had a spell out through illness and had personal issues to deal with after a high-profile burglary at his home in England.

 

 

The 28-year-old’s form has suffered and, with other players doing well in his place, he has not been able to get a consistent run in the side.

 

 

Speaking at his pre-match press conference ahead of Man City’s FA Cup quarter-final fixture with Newcastle on Saturday at the Etihad Stadium, Guardiola also said Grealish will have to work hard.

 

 

“We have this game [against Newcastle] and then two weeks where he [Grealish] will work hard and as clever as possible to be ready when we come back,” Guardiola said.

 

 

“He’s trained the last two or three days really good. He feels good and positive.

 

 

“Saturday maybe we will need him and then he has these two weeks especially to work well and come back.

 

 

“Then we can have the Jack that unfortunately this season we had few, few times – and he can help us.”