Manchester City fear star Ederson could be out for WEEKS as Pep Guardiola faces nervous wait over groin issue as Brazilian is sent for tests

Manchester City are ascertaining the extent of Ederson’s recurring groin injury amid fears the goalkeeper could face weeks on the sidelines.

The Brazil international hobbled out of Saturday’s 5-2 victory over Crystal Palace 15 minutes after his long pass assisted James McAtee’s goal.

Ederson has been plagued by groin problems all season, severe enough to prevent him from training fully for the majority of the campaign.

The 31-year-old, who weighed up leaving City for the Saudi Pro League last summer, has undergone tests to determine the prognosis before Pep Guardiola’s side go to Everton this weekend.

Ederson has missed seven matches through injury this term and been named on the bench in four Premier League games when understudy Stefan Ortega was preferred.

The persistent groin issues will be a concern for City, with the goalkeeping department an area they have discussed strengthening during Hugo Viana’s first summer as director of football.

The goalkeeper had recorded his fourth assist of the season before later being forced off

Stefan Ortega deputises in Ederson’s absence and has occasionally been preferred in goal

Guardiola will want his No 1 fit going into the final month of the run-in, in which they look to cement a top-five finish to qualify for the Champions League.

Ederson’s assist for McAtee was a record fourth of the season but his performances between the sticks have come under scrutiny – catching criticism for Palace’s second goal at the weekend.

‘It’s been a very unusual season, especially considering everything we’ve produced in recent years, things that aren’t normal either,’ Ederson told ESPN Brazil.

‘But this season has been very, very difficult. A lot of injuries, individual performances not good. But that’s football, you can’t always give your best.

‘If we were at our best, we’d definitely be fighting for the Premier League title. Our main goal is to qualify for the Champions League because next season the players win, the club wins, everyone wins.

‘More money for the club, more prestige to play this competition. It would be a big blow if we didn’t qualify.’