Phil Foden fitness update provided ahead of Everton clash after Manchester City injury setback | OneFootball

Manchester City could welcome back Phil Foden into their matchday squad as soon as Saturday afternoon following a setback for the England international in recent weeks.

In what is turning out to be Foden’s most challenging season to date since breaking firmly into Manchester City’s first-team squad in 2017, injury and fitness problems are preventing him from getting back into his stride on the pitch.

A further opportunity to establish himself at the forefront of Manchester City’s creative output was granted away to Manchester United a fortnight ago, but that contest ended 0-0 with last year’s Premier League Player of the Season forced off in the second-half.

Replaced by Jeremy Doku for the remainder of the game, Foden appeared to be limping significantly during his substitution and at the full-time whistle when heading down the Old Trafford tunnel after the game.

Having missed Manchester City’s follow-up game against Crystal Palace and a 5-2 win for his teammates at the Etihad Stadium, concerns over the severity of the problem were heightened heading into a crucial period of the club’s season.

However, according to the Manchester Evening News’ Simon Bajkowski, Phil Foden’s issue sustained during the second-half of the 0-0 draw against Manchester United is not thought to be too serious.

As such, it is stated that Foden could return to Pep Guardiola’s matchday squad as early as Saturday afternoon when Manchester City travel over to Merseyside to take on Everton at Goodison Park.

Foden was not among the player spotted in the club’s images released from their return to training on Tuesday, as Pep Guardiola begins his preparations for the return of top-flight football at the weekend.

Unless the Englishman is spotted in any of the upcoming sessions illustrated for supporters on social media, the next opportunity for the City boss to issue a clear update on the Stockport-born playmaker will be on Friday afternoon.

Pep Guardiola is due to face the media at the City Football Academy in his pre-match press conference looking ahead to the visit over to Everton on Saturday afternoon in a traditional 3PM kick-off slot.