Pep Guardiola gave an injury update on Manchester City midfielder Mateo Kovacic on Saturday evening.
The Croatian has been on the sidelines since the international break.
Kovacic picked up a muscular injury while on duty with his country.
So far, he has missed City’s games against West Ham United, Red Star Belgrade in the Champions League and Nottingham Forest.
But it looks as though Kovacic will not be missing for much longer.
After the 2-0 win over Nottingham Forest, Pep delivered an update on the former Chelsea man…
Mateo Kovacic is returning soon for Man City after picking up injury on international duty
Pep was asked about Kovacic’s condition after the game with Forest.
And it looks as though he the £30 million man is going to be in contention to play against Newcastle United in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday night.
Pep said (BeanymanSports): “Soon! Tomorrow (Sunday) I think he is going to train with the team already. Today he makes a partial (recovery), but we didn’t take a risk with the injury that he had in the leg. This place is riskier than in other places. But tomorrow, he starts to train.”
Guardiola’s comments were made on Saturday evening, but embargoed until Sunday night.
The club did release eight new training photos on Sunday, but Kovacic did not actually appear in any of them.
So it is unclear if he did train, as Pep said he would.
Big boost for City that Kovacic’s return is imminent
It sounds very much as though Kovacic will be available for the midweek clash with Newcastle.
That’s a big boost for City, especially with Rodri now being suspended for three games.
There will be a chance for Kalvin Phillips to perhaps stake his claim to play.
But we have seen Pep’s lack of faith in the England midfielder and it’s very possible he could go with the ‘exceptional’ Kovacic instead.
The 29-year-old has enjoyed a terrific start at City and many fans would happily see him back in the team on Wednesday.
