Manchester City goalkeeper Ederson has been ruled out of Brazil’s upcoming friendlies against England and Spain due to a muscle problem.
Sources told ESPN Brazil that Ederson suffered an injury to the rectus femoris muscle in his right leg and is expected to be out for 3 to 4 weeks. This schedule may also leave City’s number one out of their Premier League match against compatriot Arsenal on March 31.
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Manchester City sources also showed the schedule and said they expect Ederson to be out for 4 weeks.
The 30-year-old Brazil international was injured after colliding with Liverpool striker Darwin Nunez in Sunday’s 1-1 draw with Jurgen Klopp’s side. City manager Pep Guardiola said after the game that the player’s injury “doesn’t look good”.
Brazil, under new coach Dorival Junior, will face England on March 23 at Wembley and Spain three days later in Madrid. Ederson will start both games as Brazil are without Liverpool goalkeeper Allison, who is unavailable due to a hamstring problem.
Junior also announced two injured players: Paris Saint-Germain’s Marquinhos and Arsenal’s Gabriel Martinelli. They were replaced by Flamengo left-back Fabrício Bruno and Porto striker Galeno respectively.
City, who host Newcastle United in the FA Cup quarter-finals on Saturday, are third in the Premier League, one point ahead of Arsenal, who are ahead of second-placed Liverpool on goal difference.
Guardiola and City now look set to face a race against time to get Ederson fit to play his home game against Arsenal at the end of the month.
ESPN’s Rob Dawson contributed to this story.