Manchester City goalkeeper Éderson has been ruled out for Brazil’s upcoming friendlies against England and Spain with a muscular problem.
Sources told ESPN Brazil that Ederson sustained a rectus femoris muscular injury in his right leg and is expected to be sidelined for three to four weeks. That timeline could also keep the City No. 1 on the sidelines for their Premier League matchup with fellow title-chasers Arsenal on March 31.
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Manchester City sources also confirmed the timeframe, saying they expected Ederson to be out four weeks.
The Brazil international, 30, suffered the injury after colliding with Liverpool striker Darwin Nunez in Sunday’s 1-1 draw with Jurgen Klopp’s side and City coach Pep Guardiola said after the game that the player’s injury “doesn’t look good.”
Brazil, under new coach Dorival Junior, take on England on March 23 at Wembley and face Spain three days later in Madrid. Ederson was expected to start in both games as Brazil are without Liverpool goalkeeper Allison, who is unavailable with a hamstring problem.
Júnior also announced two more players out injured: Paris Saint-Germain’s Marquinhos and Arsenal’s Gabriel Martinelli. They were replaced by Flamengo left-back Fabrício Bruno and Porto striker Galeno, respectively.
City, who host Newcastle United in Saturday’s FA Cup quarterfinals, are third in the Premier League, one point adrift of leaders Arsenal, who are ahead of second-placed Liverpool on goal difference.
Guardiola and City now look set to face a race against time to have Ederson ready for their home game against Arsenal at the end of the month.
ESPN’s Rob Dawson contributed to this story.