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Report: Manchester City sweating over key man’s fitness as Real Madrid clash looms

Manchester City star Raheem Sterling faces a race to be fit for their Champions League tie with Real Madrid later in the month, after sustaining a hamstring injury in the defeat to Tottenham Hotspur last weekend, according to The Guardian.

The England international has already been ruled out of the Citizens’ home match with West Ham United on Sunday afternoon and there are fears that he could miss some really big matches to come too.

City have a huge Premier League clash with Leicester City on the horizon, and the Carabao Cup final against Aston Villa is not too far away either.

If Sterling ends up being out for the full period that is feared, the England international will miss both clashes.

It is said that the Citizens attacker could miss four weeks with the hamstring issue.

Sterling is one of the players City can ill-afford to be without, as not only does his pace threaten defenders, but his skill and trickery creates plenty of opportunities for his teammates.

With Leroy Sane not available, there isn’t really anyone else in the squad at the Etihad Stadium capable of injecting searing pace to the side’s attack.

Fortunately for the Citizens, the early part of the period out for the England star coincides with their winter break, so if his injury is not as bad as feared, it is possible that the only outing he misses is the one against West Ham this weekend.

City are competing on four fronts over the next month or so, which means they will hope the recovery of Sterling is much quicker than the prognosis would suggest.

Pep Guardiola’s men have surely give up hope of reeling in Premier League leaders Liverpool, but the Spanish coach will have ambitions of winning the Champions League – the big trophy that has eluded him during his time at City.

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