Manchester City are gearing up for the return leg of their Champions League last 16 clash with FC Copenhagen, and one other player – in addition to Jack Grealish – was not seen at training today.
City already have one foot in the quarter-final of the competition, after a convincing 3-1 win in the first leg a couple of weeks ago.
Kevin De Bruyne, Bernardo Silva and Phil Foden got the goals during a dominant display at Parken Stadium.
There is a shred of hope for Copenhagen with Magnus Mattsson scoring for them in the first leg.
But realistically, this should be a routine job for City – who are in incredible form right now.
Pep’s teamsheet will be interesting as always – but it looks as though two players who started against Manchester United may be in doubt for the game…
Jeremy Doku and Phil Foden not spotted at Manchester City training ahead of Copenhagen clash
It has been reported today by Manchester Evening News journalist Simon Bajkowski that a couple of players were not seen at training today.
He first said that Phil Foden – who was the star of the show against United with his two goals – wasn’t training today because he picked up a dead leg on Sunday.
Bajkowski then also said that there was no sign of Jeremy Doku at today’s session.
Jack Grealish also did not train, but that was expected after he suffered a recurrence of a hamstring injury against Luton Town last week.
Pep Guardiola said today at his press conference that he didn’t know exactly when Grealish would be back.
Pep might rest Foden anyway
So it looks as though Doku could be a doubt for Wednesday night’s game.
The Belgian should probably start if he is fit enough, because Pep needs the Belgian to find form again ahead of a huge stage of the season. Ideally, he’ll become as impactful as he was before his injury.
Regarding Foden, it seems like he’s shaken off his dead leg but one wonders if this might be an opportunity to rest the 23-year-old.
He’s played so much football and the last thing Pep needs is him getting injured when he is in the form of his life.
Foden will no doubt want to play, but with City in command of the tie, perhaps his enthusiasm will need curbing for his own good.
