Fernadinho has urged Manchester City fans to be patient with the returning Gabriel Jesus, stressing that a ‘foot injury is always complicated’, according to a statement on the club website.
The Brazilian midfielder doesn't think his compatriot should be rushed back into competitive action as he feels rushing him back would solve no purpose. “Gabriel is coming back now and I think we must be patient and have some caution, a foot injury is always complicated. But we know that whenever he is ready, he will come back well and give everything, as always and he will be very important for us.”
City lost in extra-time to Arsenal in the FA Cup semifinal on Sunday, and the combative midfielder said of the game: “We started well. We scored a goal and we also had few good chances, but at the end we lost and we are no longer in this very important competition.
“Now we must raise our heads; we have a very important derby on Thursday and our aim now is to finish in a position that will get us to the Champions League.
“The two goals they scored (were the main factor). Maybe they also had a bit of luck but it was a very intense game from the beginning, we tried as much as possible, we dominated the ball, we tried to pressure a lot, but we were unlucky with their second goal.”
City’s arch-rivals United are just a point behind them after beating Burnley on Sunday and Fernandinho admits it could be a pivotal game in the race for a top four finish.
Fernadinho added: “It’s a decisive game, they are behind us by one point and they won their game today on Sunday.
“We have the same amount of games played, so we are fighting for a place in the Champions League for next season. I believe it will be a similar game to this one, with high intensity, with both teams trying their best to win the game and I hope we will have more luck this time.”
“Yes. I believe I can recover very well by Thursday and should be 100% for the game,” the Brazilian added, shrugging off concerns about the quick turnaround in terms of his own fitness.
(All quotes are from www.mancity.com)