Pep Guardiola, the manager of Manchester City, has issued an update on two of his injured England players ahead of next month’s World Cup.
England regulars Kyle Walker and Kalvin Phillips have been long-term absentees for the Premier League champions, and with the match in Qatar only three weeks away, Guardiola provided some encouraging news on both players’ recoveries.
Guardiola is hoping that both Walker and Phillips will be able to play for England in the World Cup.
Guardiola’s comment on players fitness
“They are positive, optimistic, they are in touch with Gareth [Southgate]. I don’t know, hopefully they can be ready to be selected,” City manager Pep Guardiola said at a press conference before of Saturday’s trip to Leicester City.
The Spaniard said that Phillips may get some minutes for City before the World Cup, but Walker will not play for City until the Premier League resumes on Boxing Day.
“Yes, if he’s fit then I believe he can play,” said the City manager on Phillips. “If he’s ready he can maybe take minutes but I don’t know right now. We’ll see.”
“What Kalvin says to me when I find him in the canteen or locker room, or on the trip to Dortmund, he said he feels really well.
“His mobility in the shoulder is perfect. He’s started to train in contact with the ball. He has to avoid contact with team-mates but he’s really well. We’re surprised at how quick his development [has been].”
Phillips has only made three appearances for City after joining from Leeds United for a fee of £42 million in the summer due to a shoulder injury suffered in September.
The 26-year-old has missed the last eight games due to injury and expects to be eligible for the Three Lions’ World Cup campaign in the Gulf State this winter.
Meanwhile, Walker is still recovering from a groin injury suffered in City’s 6-3 Manchester derby victory over United in early October.
Walker underwent surgery soon after the injury, with World Cup participation firmly on his mind, but his participation in England’s World Cup opener against Iran on November 21 could be in jeopardy.
