Phil Foden ‘set for another month sidelined with foot injury’ in fresh blow to Man City playmaker… but Pep Guardiola prepares to bolster side with returns of Raheem Sterling, Kyle Walker and John Stones today
- Phil Foden had to sit out of England’s Euro 2020 final against Italy due to injury
- The playmaker is now reportedly not set to return to the pitch until September
- Man City lost in the Community Shield as they lacked creativity in the midfield
- Pep Guardiola is set to see Raheem Sterling, Kyle Walker and John Stones back
Manchester City will have to learn to live without Phil Foden for a while longer with the playmaker reportedly set for another month out injured.
Foden, 21, missed England’s Euro 2020 final at Wembley against Italy due to a disruptive foot injury.
It appears he is still getting to grips with the issue as the Telegraph report that Foden is expected to be out of action until after next month’s international break.
Phil Foden’s foot injury is reportedly going to keep him sidelined for another month
It represents a blow to boss Pep Guardiola to lose the playmaker for three league matches
Foden is said to have flexed his foot during a training session with England in the build-up to the Italy final, which the Three Lions lost on penalties.
City’s medical staff, according to the report, viewed the injury as ‘unusual’ and are keen to err on the side of caution in bringing him back into the side.
Boss Pep Guardiola himself expressed that City must be patient with the Stockport-born playmaker or they risk aggravating it and causing further damage.
If Foden does sit out until the international break he would miss the first three games of City’s Premier League title defence.
City are already without Kevin De Bruyne (left) as he nurses a troublesome ankle problem
Guardiola’s side take on Tottenham in their opening match on Sunday before they face Norwich City and Arsenal.
City’s game against Leicester on September 11 is being viewed as a potential return to the side for Foden.
Guardiola will be banking on Foden’s return after a Community Shield defeat to Leicester highlighted City’s lack of creativity in midfield.
Star man Kevin De Bruyne is already out and £100million summer arrival Jack Grealish was only handed a brief cameo off the bench.
In brighter news for City, Foden’s England team-mates Raheem Sterling, John Stones and Kyle Walker are all due back at City on Monday.
Much of the creativity burden will be left at the door of £100m summer signing Jack Grealish
Along with Brazilian pair Ederson and Gabriel Jesus, the England trio will be welcomed back to training following extended holidays after the Euros.
‘On Monday we will be all together,’ Guardiola said.
‘A few players get their conditions so quick. The other ones need a little bit more time. We will see their weight, their body fat, how they arrive and especially their heads.
‘There are players who play just three, four or five days and their mentality is positive, ready to fight and suffer in bad conditions, like happened [on Saturday] and some of them need more time.
‘We will try to discover which ones are ready immediately. It depends on their heads. They have had the rest. They are rested so now they can be ready but it depends.’