rewrite this title Ederson injury: Man City anxious ahead of Champions League push

Manchester City are anxiously waiting to learn the extent of goalkeeper Ederson’s latest injury setback.

The 31-year-old was forced off in the latter stages of City’s 5-2 win over Crystal Palace at the Etihad Stadium, which reignited their Champions League qualification hopes.

The reigning Premier League champions, to the surprise of many, have been well below their best this season and are fighting Nottingham Forest, Newcastle United, Chelsea and Aston Villa for a place in the top five – the pressure of needing to finish in the top four released after the impressive showings of English clubs in European competition.

Mail Sport report that Ederson has undergone tests to determine the severity of his latest problem and it would appear unlikely that he’ll be ready to face a resurgent Everton this weekend.

Ederson’s been troubled by groin problems all season long and hasn’t always reclaimed his place in the side ahead of Stefan Ortega. But lately the Brazilian has been back in favour under Pep Guardiola, making this injury setback all the more troublesome.

He has previously been linked with a big-money transfer to the cash-rich Saudi Pro League – something City may become more open to sanctioning should Ederson continue to be sidelined for extended periods of time – but Guardiola said at the time that he had no interest in parting ways.

“He knew from day one I didn’t want it, we didn’t want it but the truth, I’m going to tell the truth, the offer didn’t come,” Guardiola remarked in October. “The real offer, because they make an offer, but to be for the keeper, for the team who won four Premier Leagues in a row, they have a value, you know, have a price. Otherwise, he cannot leave. This is the truth.”

Ortega has also been linked with a move away from City, seeking more regular first-team football, but incoming director of football Hugo Viana will need to identify at least one transfer target before an exit can be considered.

Porto’s Diogo Costa and Juventus’ Michele Di Gregorio have previously been touted as a potential incomings, though both would not come cheap given their importance to their respective clubs.

READ THE LATEST MAN CITY NEWS, TRANSFER RUMOURS & GOSSIP