Jesus arrives in Spain for injury rehab
GABRIEL Jesus has flown to Barcelona as he starts rehabilitation on the knee injury he picked up on New Year’s Eve.
The City striker had to be taken off early in the 0-0 draw with Crystal Palace after suffering what was later confirmed as medial collateral ligament damage.
After initial fears of a longer spell on the sidelines, the latest reports indicate the player will be out for between four and six weeks and could return in time for the Champions League last-16 tie with FC Basel.
Jesus does not need surgery but has travelled to Barcelona, where it is expected he will be seen by Dr Ramon Cugat, Guardiola’s preferred doctor and a knee specialist.
Cugat has overseen the treatment of several City players since Guardiola took over at the Etihad, looking after Ilkay Gundogan and Benjamin Mendy during their longterm injuries as well as treating Kevin de Bruyne and Vincent Kompany. Jesus has also been to the Quironsalud hospital before, last year when he fractured his metatarsal.
Guardiola and City bosses will have to decide whether to move for Alexis Sanchez in the January transfer window. The coach had been content to leave the squad as it was with the attack not short of goals, but the Brazilian’s injury could have forced their hand.
Sanchez would be eligible for the Champions League, given Arsenal have not appeared in the competition this season.