Jesus blow for Guardiola's City

MANCHESTER City are waiting to learn how long Gabriel Jesus will be out for after confirming the striker has broken a bone in his foot.

The Brazil international fractured a metatarsal in his right foot early in City's 2-0 Premier League victory at Bournemouth on Monday.

The 19-year-old limped off after just 15 minutes at the Vitality Stadium and, despite manager Pep Guardiola expressing hope the injury was not serious, fears were confirmed following tests on Tuesday morning.

The forward will undergo further assessment to determine the full extent of the problem but such injuries typically lead to a lay-off of six to eight weeks. Some reports have even claimed Jesus could be sidelined for up to three months.

Such a scenario would all but rule Jesus out for the remainder of the season.

A statement from the club read: "Manchester City can confirm Gabriel Jesus suffered a fractured metatarsal during the 2-0 win over Bournemouth on Monday night.

"He will undergo further examinations in the coming days to establish the extent of his lay-off."

Jesus was pictured on Tuesday afternoon wearing a protective boot and walking with crutches.

The injury is an undoubted blow for City, who resume their Champions League campaign next week when Monaco visit the Etihad Stadium for the first leg of their last-16 tie.

Jesus has made an immediate impression since joining City in a £27million deal from Palmeiras in January.

He has scored three goals in his five appearances, including an injury-time winner against Swansea, and so impressive were his performances he was being selected ahead of top scorer Sergio Aguero.

That situation had led to speculation over the future of Aguero, who has scored 154 goals for City since joining the club in 2011.

Aguero (28) replaced Jesus at Bournemouth and forced the Tyrone Mings own goal which secured City's victory and lifted them to second in the Premier League.