Pep Guardiola issues Phil Foden, Kyle Walker injury update

By Matt Law, Football Editor | 12 April 2024

Manchester City head coach Pep Guardiola addresses the fitness of his squad ahead of Saturday's Premier League clash with Luton Town.

Manchester City head coach Pep Guardiola said that he would not be able to have a clear understanding of the fitness of his squad until after Friday afternoon's training session.

The Citizens were missing Kyle Walker and Nathan Ake for Tuesday's Champions League quarter-final first leg with Real Madrid due to injuries.

Meanwhile, Kevin De Bruyne did not feature in the 3-3 draw at Bernabeu due to an illness.

There was concern over Phil Foden, meanwhile, when he was substituted in the latter stages of the clash in the Spanish capital following a knock.

Man City will return to Premier League action at home to Luton Town on Saturday afternoon before welcoming Real Madrid for the second leg of their European Cup quarter-final, and there have been claims that Walker could be available for the return fixture.

Manchester City's Kyle Walker in action with Manchester United's Marcus Rashford on March 3, 2024 © Reuters

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Guardiola has said that Foden's fitness will be assessed ahead of the Luton clash, while the Spaniard suggested that Walker could return this weekend or against Real Madrid next week.

"We are training this afternoon so we will know better how they feel," Guardiola told reporters during his pre-match press conference on Friday.

"[On Phil] I would like to tell you, but I didn't speak to the doctors. After the press conference, we have a meeting, and we will see.

"[As for Kyle], I don't know right now. Honestly I would tell you. Josko [Gvardiol] was a doubt for Madrid, but our physios did an incredible job, and he could play."

Guardiola also hinted that Ederson will be back between the sticks against Luton, with the Brazilian named on the bench for the club's last two games after recovering from injury.

Manchester City's Ederson with manager Pep Guardiola after being substituted after sustaining an injury on March 10, 2024 © Reuters

"Eddie is the first choice," said the head coach. "He was ready to play against Madrid. He is ready for tomorrow and we will make the decision."

Guardiola also defended Erling Haaland amid the recent criticism of the forward, who has scored 30 goals and registered six assists in 37 appearances for the Citizens this season.

"The target is not to win the Ballon d'Or," he added. "The target is to win the Premier Leagues, Champions Leagues, FA Cups and Carabao Cups. And he did it.

"Without him, it would not be possible. What we won in 2023 five titles without him it's impossible. No chance. He's a key player for us.

"He will improve because of his desire, his age, more games, more experience, arrive in the latter stages of the competition, it's never happened in his career. This will be his future."

Haaland has only scored once in his last three league appearances, while he found it difficult to make his mark against Real Madrid in the Champions League on Tuesday night.