Manchester City hit by fresh defensive blow ahead of Real Madrid clash
The 22-year-old made his 32nd appearance of the season in the clash at Selhurst Park, but he was substituted at the interval, with Manuel Akanji his replacement in the English capital.
Man City are currently without the services of Kyle Walker and Nathan Ake through injury, and the club have now been handed another defensive blow ahead of their Champions League clash with Real Madrid.
The Citizens will head to Spain next week for the first leg of their European Cup quarter-final with Real Madrid.
Man City head coach Pep Guardiola has revealed that he was not prepared to take any risks with the Croatian's fitness during a vital stage of the campaign.
Guardiola hopeful Gvardiol will be fit for Real Madrid game«The reason for Josko coming off was because he felt a niggle and we didn't want to risk any injuries,» Guardiola told TNT Sports after the 4-2 success over Palace.
«We will see which players we have available because Josko had a little problem. We will see. Next one. We were unlucky to play early on after Aston Villa but now lucky we have time to recover before Real Madrid. We will try to give them a good game.
»Manuel Akanji pushes a lot and is unbelievable playing at left-back. He is an incredible players. Rico Lewis and Oscar Bobb were really good on that side in the first half. We wanted to score early in the second half and then we could close the game."
Kevin De Bruyne scored a brace at Selhurst Park to move onto 100 goals for the club, and Guardiola lavished praise on the Belgium international following the contest.
Guardiola brands De Bruyne 'one of the club's Read on sportsmole.co.uk
