Pep Guardiola addresses Phil Foden's form at Manchester City | OneFootball

The reigning PFA Player of the Year has had a reasonably slow start to the season

Pep Guardiola is not worried about Phil Foden after the England midfielder showed encouraging signs of a return to form midweek against Sparta Prague.

The 24-year-old, who had admitted to suffered “burn-out” after last season’s exploits, scored the first goal in Man City’s 5-0 hammering of the Czech champions, and his manager is confident he will soon be back to his best.

"I'm not concerned at all about how far it is (a return to top form) because I know when he is fine, he will get it. He's a natural talent, he will get it.

"The first goal against Sparta Praha, finally with his incredible talent, he solved the game for himself. But in a career when you have many, many years, and Phil already has many years, you have these bumps, ups and downs a little bit.

"They are human beings. Be patient. Let them feel that this type of player in these types of moments, that we are there and everything is going well. Sooner or later. I'm happy to hear that he feels good because in the end it depends on himself."

A return to form for Foden would come at an ideal time for City, who are currently without Kevin De Bruyne, Jack Grealish, Jeremy Doku and Oscar Bobb.

The current PFA Player of the Year is expected to start for the Premier League champions in Saturday’s clash with Southampton at the Etihad Stadium.