“I was surprised!” – Josko Gvardiol reveals late notice over Manchester City start against Crystal Palace

“I was surprised! ” – Josko Gvardiol reveals late notice over Manchester City start against Crystal Palace Josko Gvardiol says he found out he was starting vs Crystal Palace a few hours before kick-off Croatian admits he isn’t 100 per cent fit but insists it is “normal” after a lengthy injury lay-off Gvardiol singles out Phil Foden for praise after the England international’s heroics in the 3-0 win Josko Gvardiol has revealed he was surprised to find his name in Manchester City’s starting line-up for Wednesday’s 3-0 win over Crystal Palace. The Croatian centre-back returned to action for Manchester City for the first time since January, when a tibial fracture sustained in a 1-1 draw with Chelsea ruled him out of the most consequential stretch of the season.

Gvardiol played the full 90 minutes at the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday night as a much-changed Pep Guardiola side won 3-0 over Crystal Palace to keep their Premier League title hopes alive and maintain the pressure on league leaders Arsenal . Match Report and Player Ratings: Manchester City 3-0 Crystal Palace (Premier League) Gvardiol: I was surprised, I didn’t expect my name Speaking to Sky Sports after the final whistle, Gvardiol was candid about the circumstances of his return and the condition he is in after such an extended absence. The 24-year-old made no attempt to dress up his surprise at being thrown straight into the starting lineup.

“I was surprised, I didn’t expect my name in the starting XI,” he said. “Like two, three hours before kick-off! At the end of the day, you need to be ready.

I’m happy to be back, happy to be in the starting XI and we know we’ve only got three games left, so happy to be back and get minutes. ” Gvardiol was equally honest about where his fitness levels stand following four months on the sidelines. “I’m glad to be back, feeling good actually,” the former RB Leipzig man added.