Enzo Fernandez gets shock last-minute Man City debut as England star forced to withdraw from starting XI with injury

ENZO FERNANDEZ has been handed a last-minute Manchester City debut after Nico O’Reilly was forced to withdraw through injury. O’Reilly was named on the starting team-sheet for Enzo Maresca‘s men as they host Coventry City. Enzo Fernandez has been handed a Manchester City debut on late notice Credit: Getty Nico O’Reilly pulled up with an injury during the warm ups Credit: PA But rumours began swirling after the warm-ups that the 21-year-old had suffered an injury to rule him out of the fixture. That news was soon confirmed, with new arrival Fernandez selected to take his place. Sign up for the Football newsletter Thank you! He started in the heart of midfield alongside World Cup rival Elliot Anderson. And ahead of the duo, Iliman Ndiaye was also handed a debut alongside Rayan Cherki and Antoine Semenyo, with Erling Haaland leading the line. All that firepower didn’t stop Frank Lampard‘s Coventry from coming close to opening the scoring twice in the first eight minutes of play. Gianluigi Donnarumma came millimetres away from a clanger after letting Abdukodir Khusanov’s back pass roll under his foot and almost over the line. Then a loose pass across the back line allowed Taiwo Awoniyi a one-on-one with the Italian keeper, who did just enough to spook the former Nottingham Forest man into firing wide of the post. The extent of O’Reilly’s injury is uncertain, though reports and pictures indicate it could be a back injury. Most read in Sport CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS O’Reilly appeared to suffer a back injury ahead of kick-off Credit: PA Fernandez joined on transfer deadline day in a £125million move, equalling Alexander Isak’s record British fee. He left the Blues on unfriendly terms, and released a heartfelt statement admitting that the days in the build up to his exit had been particularly hard for him. Comment now