Pep Guardiola warns Jack Grealish Man City 'won't wait' for him to find rhythm as he admits England winger's performances have dipped this season

The English winger has fallen down the pecking order at Manchester City this season due to a mix of poor form and injury problems. He has played in 14 Premier League games to date and clocked only 700 minutes on the pitch.

Now, manager Guardiola has warned the player to find his "rhythm" soon as the team won't wait for him for too long.

Speaking to reporters, the Cityzens boss said: "He started a little bit late [for form] but in the last month Jack is back in terms of many things, that’s why he played an important game in the Champions League in Copenhagen. Unfortunately, he had a setback [the injury] in 10-15 minutes. He played lots of minutes last season and this [season] less in the beginning – it’s the way he has performed. That’s the difference. I said from day one: ‘We need him, he has a special quality for our team.’ It depends on him. Hopefully, he can do a good last three months."

Guardiola added: "I cannot give three or four games for them to get their rhythm, they have to [find] the rhythm if playing 90 or 20 minutes. At a high level, the team doesn’t wait."

The 28-year-old was handed his first start in over five weeks in the club's Champions League round of 16 first-leg clash against Copenhagen, but he had to leave the pitch after just 21 minutes due to a groin injury.

He has made a full recovery over the past fortnight, and when asked if Grealish could start against Luton in the FA Cup on Tuesday, Guardiola said: "It’s possible. Normally when we play Saturday to Tuesday I don’t decide the lineup and everything [in advance]. I will see the training today [Monday]."

After facing the Hatters in the FA Cup, the reigning English and European champions will next take on Manchester United in a crucial Premier League clash on Sunday.