Phil Foden set to return to the pitch for the first time since being hit by vile chants about his mum – as Pep Guardiola makes selection call

• Pep Guardiola revealed Phil Foden has returned to full training following an injury
• 24-year-old was forced to miss Man City’s comeback win over Crystal Palace
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By ADRIAN BISHOP

Pep Guardiola has revealed that Phil Foden has returned to training ahead of a first return to action since he was targeted by abusive chants.

Speaking ahead of City’s clash with Everton, Guardiola explained that both Foden and Manuel Akanji had trained alongside their team-mates in the lead-up to Saturday’s clash at Goodison Park.

Foden was forced onto the sidelines after suffering an injury in City’s Manchester derby clash at Old Trafford earlier this month. 

While the game lumbered to an uninspiring 0-0 draw, much of the attention post-match was focused on a subsection of the home support that were targeting Foden with vile chanting throughout the game.

Some supporters could be heard labelling Foden’s mother, Claire Rowlands, 44, a ‘s**g’ as they taunted him during the match.

After 58 minutes the 24-year-old went down injured and was then withdrawn and replaced by Jeremy Doku, leading to yet more jeers.

Pep Guardiola has revealed Phil Foden has been training with his team-mates ahead of a return to action

Foden missed City’s win over Crystal Palace last weekend after being forced off in the Manchester derby earlier this month

During the game Foden was subjected to vile abuse about his mum (pictured here in 2018) by a section of the home support

The behaviour of the fans received widespread condemnation from across the footballing world, with Guardiola insisting those involved should be ‘ashamed’.

‘It’s a lack of class,’ he said after the game. 

‘But it’s not United, it’s the people, you know? We are so exposed, people who are on the screen in world football: managers, owners, and football players especially.

‘Honestly, I don’t understand the mind of the people involving the mum of Phil. It’s a lack of integrity, class, and they should be ashamed.’

Having enjoyed his most productive campaign since graduating from the club’s academy last season, Foden has struggled to consistently replicate his best form.

After a purple patch in January that saw him net six Premier League goals in four appearances, the England international is now without a league goal in his last seven games.

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Phil Foden set to return to the pitch for the first time since being hit by vile chants about his mum – as Pep Guardiola makes selection call

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