Football
Jonathan Smith, Manchester City correspondent 6y

Tearful Gabriel Jesus feared missing World Cup - Ederson

MANCHESTER -- Manchester City goalkeeper Ederson says teammate Gabriel Jesus' tears were understandable after his fellow Brazilian feared he would miss the World Cup.

Gabriel, 20, twisted his knee in the 0-0 draw with Crystal Palace and tests have since discovered that he has suffered medial collateral ligament damage.

The striker, who is currently in Barcelona receiving treatment from specialist Dr. Ramon Cugat, is expected to be out for at least six weeks with the injury.

It is the second serious injury he has suffered at City since joining last January, after fracturing a bone in his foot, but he should at least be back in time for the Champions League campaign and this summer's World Cup in Russia.

"It is normal to be sad because he is going to be out for one or two months, out of the training sessions, out of the games so it is going to be difficult for him especially because it is his second serious injury since he arrived here at Manchester City," Ederson told reporters.

"But I think he is going to recover well, he always works hard, he is going to give the best of him to recover as soon as possible and hopefully he will be among us and helping us soon."

Gabriel wasn't the only player to suffer an injury in the draw with Palace, which brought an end to City's English record of 18 straight victories.

Kevin De Bruyne also left the pitch on a stretcher but was surprisingly back 48 hours later to start in the 3-1 win over Watford on Tuesday night.

"When we play against Crystal Palace we saw the hit and we were all a little bit scared because we saw it was a strong hit and also the way he left the pitch was a little bit scary," Ederson said.

"But then the following day, we ask him and he told us it was just a hit so the doctors took care of him and looked after him, so they deserve all the credit because they helped him to recover really quick and he was with us [against Watford] and played an amazing game."

Ederson has had a busy Christmas period at City playing four games in 10 days. But he likely to get some time off with deputy Claudio Bravo expected to start successive domestic cup games against Burnley and Bristol City.

"Our relationship is really good," Ederson said of the Chilean. "He helps me a lot every day, I have learnt a lot from him and he respects a lot to me and the rest of our teammates.

"He works really hard, he gives his best in the training sessions and obviously it is normal to be sad when you are not playing regularly but at the end of the day, it is the manager's choice.

"We both work really hard and it is the manager's choice to choose who is going to play. We are both working really hard and always ready to play when we have the chance and give our best to the team."

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