Manchester City have progressed to the last 16 of this season’s FA Youth Cup having beaten Aston Villa 2-1 on Wednesday night.
However, there appeared to be a widespread concern that young defender Taylor Harwood-Bellis had picked up an injury that could see him ruled out for a significant period of time.
The 17-year-old has featured for the first-team in both the UEFA Champions League and the Carabao Cup this season as he looks to develop with a view to eventually starting regularly in the Premier League.
Will Taylor Harwood-Bellis feature versus Fulham?
Yes
No
Fortunately for City, Harwood-Bellis confirmed via his social media account that he had not sustained any serious injury and that he just felt some ‘tightness’ and so was taken off after 70 minutes as a precaution to which the fans have reacted positively.
Great news!! Love seeing you play, keep up the good work #CTID ?
— Dan (@Dan96591498) January 16, 2020
Good news indeed
I’m following you all the way in this competition in the sincere hope that you win it. Fulham at home NEXT— John Rogers (@JMRogers2000) January 16, 2020
Great performance g, take care!
— Sanan Abdul Gafoor (@SAGueroooooooo) January 16, 2020
Onwards and upwards Taylor ?
— Joe Cox ?????? (@Jo5eph) January 16, 2020
Need u for the Fulham game
— Luke (@Luk3______) January 16, 2020
Keep attacking ?
— Pablo? (@Pablo7798) January 16, 2020
What do we think?
Manchester City take on Fulham in the fourth round of the FA Cup later on this month and Taylor Harwood-Bellis, if fit, could be given an opportunity to play. The news that his substitution proved to be just precautionary comes as a boost to Pep Guardiola whose squad is down to its bare bones defensively.