Phil Foden is unlikely to feature in Manchester City’s match against West Ham on Saturday – and he could also miss out on England’s opening UEFA Nations League fixtures.
The attacking midfielder, 24, came off the bench in City’s opening Premier League fixture against Chelsea but was not in the squad for the 4-1 win over Ipswich Town.
And ahead of this weekend’s meeting with West Ham, Pep Guardiola has confirmed that the England star might not return to action until after the international break.
Guardiola said in a press conference on Foden’s absence: “Hopefully not [too long]. Hopefully after the international break he’ll be ready.
“He played against Chelsea for 45 minutes but then after he didn’t feel good. He had tests and feels much better, but he’s still doesn’t feel perfect.
“I prefer we [have] that time for him to recover and be fine and after, come back after the international break and be ready for those games.”
Foden was included in England interim head coach Lee Carsley’s first squad for next week’s international double header against the Republic of Ireland and Finland, though it remains to be seen if he will actually feature.
Manchester City’s trip to West Ham comes less than 24 hours after the summer transfer window shuts and the Premier League champions will work until January at least without a replacement for Julian Alvarez, who joined Atletico Madrid.
And Guardiola admits that opting to press ahead without cover for Erling Haaland could backfire. He added: “I’m happy with the squad. We didn’t expect Julian was leaving, although he had conversations a long time ago with other clubs and his agent, so it could happen and in the end it happened. We saw what we have, if we have many, many injuries it will be a problem.
“But in a few months Oscar Bobb will be back (from injury) and Phil (Foden) is in that position, (James) McAtee can play in that position, Gundogan can play in that position, Bernardo… They are different players to Erling (Haaland) of course.
“Maybe it is a mistake, I don’t know but I don’t like leaving players without playing for a long time. When everyone is involved with a chance to play the performance of the teams is always better.”
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