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Delph hit by injury blow as City fall to Real

MANCHESTER CITY’S preparations for the new season suffered a setback yesterday when new signing Fabian Delph suffered a hamstring injury.

Delph, who completed a controversial £8m move to the Etihad from Aston Villa last week, limped out of City’s 4-1 defeat to Real Madrid in Melbourne.

City, who are a general 11-4 to reclaim the Premier League title, start their league campaign two weeks on Monday at West Brom, but a clearer diagnosis of Delph’s problem is expected today.

Betfred are 5-2 that City or one of the other three English clubs in the Champions League, Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United, will win the trophy.

Southampton, who start their Europa League campaign against Vitesse Arnhem next week, have been hit by the news defender Florin Gordos has been ruled out  for six months with a knee injury.

The Romanian made five league appearances for the Saints last season.

Blackburn striker Jordan Rhodes has hit out at the club for refusing him permission to talk to Championship rivals Middlesbrough.

The Scotland striker, who has scored 74 goals in 134 games for Rovers, is reported to be the subject of a £12m bid from the Teesside outfit.

Rhodes said: “Having seen Middlesbrough’s performances in reaching the playoff final and their ambitions this summer in terms of acquisitions, I would have liked to have to talk to and I am unhappy at not being given that opportunity.”

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