Nico O’Reilly hauled off with injury in Manchester City clash against Leeds United

Manchester City star Nico O’Reilly was taken off with injury in the second-half of Saturday’s Premier League meeting with Leeds United at Elland Road.

The Blues broke down a stubborn Leeds defence on the brink of half-time as Antoine Semenyo converted from Rayan Ait-Nouri’s cross to progress his brilliant start to life at the Etihad Stadium since joining Manchester City from Bournemouth in January.

Pep Guardiola made one change to his starting XI at Elland Road from last week’s 2-1 win over Newcastle United as Erling Haaland was absent from the matchday squad after suffering an injury in training in the days leading to Saturday’s game.

Rayan Cherki came in for the Norwegian and played a fundamental role in helping carve Leeds’ backline open for Semenyo’s goal, with Manchester City looking to keep up the pressure on Premier League leaders Arsenal.

Arsenal host Chelsea at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday evening and Mikel Arteta will be desperate for his side to build on their 4-1 drubbing of Tottenham in the north London derby last week.

City have welcomed back a series of crucial players back from injury in February but as they embark upon the business end of the season, the Blues have been handed a potentially worrying bit of news on the fitness front.

Nico O’Reilly, who scored twice in last week’s win over Newcastle, went off with an injury after 70 minutes of Saturday’s Premier League clash against Leeds United.

The extent of the 20-year-old’s injury remains to be revealed as City try to hold on to a slender advantage in Yorkshire and mount further pressure on Arsenal in the title race.

O’Reilly has been one of Manchester City’s finest and most reliable performers in their premier campaign under director of football Hugo Viana – a season that still sees the Blues compete in every competition they’re involved in.

Guardiola cannot afford to lose one of his most versatile players to the sidelines as Manchester City enter the most defining months of the season, with Mateo Kovacic and Josko Gvardiol yet to recover from injury too.

Haaland is expected to be deemed fit to feature against Nottingham Forest on Wednesday night but Manchester City fans will be fearful of a serious issue sustained by O’Reilly potentially.

The Blues are well-stocked in midfield to cover for the academy graduate in theory – but Guardiola needs as many legs that he can rely upon if Manchester City are to improve upon a trophyless 2024-25 season in the coming months.