Jack Grealish made his return to the Manchester City squad on Saturday evening with a place on the bench for the victory over Everton. City's £100m man has been out for a few weeks with a shin injury and, despite not playing, it will have been a relief to many to see him take a seat among the subs at Goodison Park.
Following that victory, Pep Guardiola's men are now at the beginning of a crucial week on two fronts. They travel to Peterborough United in the fifth round of the FA Cup tonight (Tuesday), before the small matter of the Manchester derby on Sunday.
As much as it could be a pivotal week for his club, Grealish will be fully aware of the importance this week could have on his own personal season.
Read more: How City should line up vs Peterborough in FA Cup
It is no secret the 26-year-old has underwhelmed since arriving at the Etihad, struggling to live up to his price tag. And among the main reasons for that appears to be the weight of expectation on his shoulders, which often comes with a big transfer fee.
His three goals and three assists are merely a footnote in City's impressive campaign so far. As much as you never want to wish an injury on a player, Grealish's absence from first team football might have allowed him time to reset and refocus ahead of a crucial run-in.
City's visit to the Posh should provide the perfect test for the forward's fitness ahead of the big one. If he is to make an appearance on Sunday, you would think he has to play some part on Tuesday night at London Road.
Grealish cannot come into the derby without minutes in his legs and the former Villa star is fortunate that the FA Cup is on the horizon before City host United.
Guardiola needs sharper displays than he's been able to get from Grealish so far.
His arrival has so far been lukewarm at best, but derby days are where heroes are born and the former Villa man could properly introduce himself to the home fans that afternoon.
Grealish is no stranger to a fierce city rivalry either and, as proven back in 2019 when Villa and Birmingham went head-to-head and he found himself in the thick of the action quite literally; he knows how to perform even in front of the most hostile of supporters.
From a City perspective there is no-one who needs a good derby day more than Grealish. You just feel that one magical moment could set him on his way in Manchester.
Sunday will be the chance to ignite his City career. Tonight, meanwhile, is the opportune moment to light the spark.
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