'Clever' Foden is getting back to his best - Pep | OneFootball

Pep Guardiola says Phil Foden is still getting his way back to full fitness but was impressed by his impact in trying to snatch a win in our 1-1 draw with Newcastle.

Last season’s Premier League Player of the Year was unavailable in the opening weeks due to illness but is close to full fitness.

He came off the bench at St James’ Park as we tried to grab a winner and fired an effort that was kept out by Nick Pope and set up Bernardo Silva whose fierce volley was tipped over the bar.

Foden threatened by picking up the ball in tight spaces on the edge of the box and Guardiola says he is so effective in tight areas.

“The game with Inter was the same, Phil in that position maybe one of the best, he’s so clever,” the City boss said.

“He was the best player in the league last season, he’s been out but today he played the best minutes. I would say he was really good and dynamic and I'm happy step-by-step he is coming back.”

NEWCASTLE 1-1 CITY | MATCH GALLERY

Foden started our Carabao Cup victory over Watford on Tuesday night as we secured a place in the fourth round with a 2-1 victory.

But with so many games coming up and a number of injury setbacks already, Guardiola made eight changes to try to keep the team fresh.

And he says there will be plenty of opportunities for Foden in the near future, with City back in action on Tuesday, October 1 at 20:00 (UK) when we travel to Slovan Bratislava in the Champions League.

“It was a long time that he was out,” Guardiola added.

“I prefer sometimes that a player has an hour, 90 minutes in three days and we have another one and then three days another.

“There are games for everyone.”

Guardiola also revealed that Erling Haaland picked up a knock in the draw with Newcastle.

TV footage showed a nasty cut through his ripped sock on his Achilles and the boss said he will be assessed ahead of the trip to Slovakia.

“He has some knocks, we will see in the next days,” the boss said.