- Jack Grealish was a surprise inclusion in Lee Carsley’s final England squad
- The 29-year-old has been sidelined for past three weeks with a hamstring issueÂ
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Pep Guardiola is vexed at Jack Grealish’s call-up to the England squad and claimed interim boss Lee Carsley has not asked Manchester City’s opinion on his fitness.
Grealish sustained a hamstring injury three weeks ago and has not featured since, with Guardiola ruling the 29-year-old out of Saturday’s game at Brighton.
Grealish returned to gym work this week, doing two light sessions, and trained with the squad for 20 minutes on Friday.
But the winger wants to go on international duty and Guardiola appeared visibly agitated by that.
‘It’s a question for the [England] manager – I’m not involved,’ said a seething Guardiola. ‘They can select who they want.
Pep Guardiola is angered by Jack Grealish’s selection by England despite the 29-year-old’s injuryÂ
Grealish has been absent for the Premier League champions since picking up a hamstring injury three weeks ago
Guardiola has claimed that interim boss Lee Carsley did not consult him on the winger’s fitnessÂ
‘Jack trained today and believes he can help us – I’m not the guy to say you cannot go. But for my team tomorrow he’s not fit – he cannot play.
‘All I can say is that for a couple of days over two weeks he didn’t train but the people from England believe he can help. So go.’
Guardiola sarcastically added: ‘The manager from the UK will know better than me.’
Asked if Carsley reached out for an update on Grealish’s fitness, Guardiola replied: ‘No. They [City’s medical department] haven’t told me they spoke [with England].’
A terse Guardiola also revealed that he does not plan to travel to Abu Dhabi to meet City’s owners over the international break as questions continue to swirl over his contract situation.
The Catalan, 53, is out of contract in the summer and has penned his last two extensions in November.
‘I said many times, I won’t talk about it,’ he said. ‘When it happens, it will happen. We’re in touch regularly. What happens will always be for the benefit of the club.’
