Manchester City’s Phil Foden is suffering from an ongoing illness and doubtful for England duty next week.
Pep Guardiola revealed that the 24-year-old, who missed last weekend’s 4-1 victory over Ipswich Town, is not travelling down to West Ham United on Saturday.
Foden has been described as unwell since winning the PFA Player of the Year award last Tuesday and Guardiola claimed the midfielder had been in ‘discomfort’ after City’s win over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge two days prior.
England’s squad meet up early next week ahead of their first games under interim boss Lee Carsley in the Nations League against the Republic of Ireland and Finland.
‘Hopefully after the international break Phil will be ready,’ Guardiola said. ‘He played 45 minutes against Chelsea and after he didn't feel good.
Phil Foden is suffering from an ongoing illness and is doubtful for England duty next week
‘We made tests, he feels better but he doesn't feel perfect so we prefer to give him time to come back after the international break and be ready for the next games.’
Guardiola still has a wealth of talent in midfield and Ilkay Gundogan could make his second full debut for the Premier League champions at the London Stadium.
The Catalan confirmed that City were unlikely to have landed another player had Gundogan not become available and insisted he is content with the club’s transfer business. New £32million winger Savinho has started brightly on the right-hand side.
‘Sometimes there are situations,’ Guardiola added. ‘Some years you have to be more active in the transfer market, sometimes it isn’t necessary. I gave my opinion to the club, the club made their opinion and together [we decided] that maybe in the future you have to do more.
‘Now it is what it is, I’m confident with the team we have and it’s why we’ve decided to do what we have done. It’s fine. Really. I’m really pleased.
‘I know that apparently when you don’t sign 10 players we will be weaker but I don’t have that feeling. I don’t have it. If the opponents feel it then it’s fine but I don’t have it. I didn't expect the level we played so far with starting later than everyone else.’