Grealish misses Man City tour despite training return

What the report says

BBC Sport Football reports that Jack Grealish has been left out of Manchester City’s pre-season trip to Asia, despite being seen back at training last week. The club are travelling to Hong Kong and Seoul for an 11-day tour, but the midfielder is still recovering from a foot injury suffered in January during a loan spell at Everton, according to sources cited by the BBC.

The report says the injury ended Grealish’s Everton stint and also affected his outside chance of being involved with England at the World Cup. Everton did not make the loan permanent, and Grealish has returned to City with 12 months left on his contract. BBC Sport notes there is currently little indication of a new deal on his reported £300,000-a-week salary.

New City manager Enzo Maresca has not publicly ruled out reintegrating Grealish, saying last week that the player remains under contract and that it is his responsibility to coach players who belong to the club. The BBC also reports that Maresca may have concerns after apparent recent images of Grealish drinking in the afternoon, while noting Grealish has previously rejected a “party boy” label.

The article adds that Kalvin Phillips has also been left out of the tour squad after returning from a loan at Sheffield United, with City appearing open to offers. City’s 28-player travelling group includes several development-squad players, with friendlies scheduled against Inter Milan, a K-League All Stars side and Atletico Madrid.