Manchester City star will be fit for start of next season

Manchester City have received a welcome boost with news Gabriel Jesus is expected to be fit for the start of next season despite suffering a fractured eye socket on international duty with Brazil, reports ESPN.

Jesus was stretchered off in the dying embers of Brazil’s 1-0 defeat to Argentina in a glamour friendly that was staged in Melbourne, Australia last week after colliding with Argentine defender and City teammate Nicolas Otamendi.

City’s medical staff have consulted with the Brazilian national team and analysed the X-ray of Jesus’ eye and are happy for the forward to return to his homeland to carry out the rehabilitation rather than travel back to Manchester for further treatment.

There is still a chance the 20-year-old will have to undergo minor surgery but City are confident that their £27m signing will be available for their opening fixture of the season against newly-promoted Premier League side Brighton on August 12.

However, it remains to be seen whether the former Palmeiras forward will be available for City’s pre-season tour of the US, which would be a blow for head coach Pep Guardiola having been forced to throw Jesus into first-team action midway through last season.

Jesus joined City from Palmeiras in January and enjoyed a sensational start to life in the Premier League before a foot injury in February ruled him out of action for more than two months of the campaign.

The City No.33 scored or assisted every 59.2 minutes of action in the Premier League last season, a quicker rate than any other player (min. 5 goals) in the division.

For more stats on Gabriel Jesus, click here to visit his WhoScored player page