Why Phil Foden is not in Man City squad vs Nottingham Forest
Phil Foden has added to Manchester City’s injury woes after failing to make it to the Etihad Stadium for the Premier League clash with Nottingham Forest.
While Pep Guardiola has called on all of his Manchester City players to return to help them regain their fiery form, they have suffered another major setback for the game against Nottingham Forest. Phil Foden has been playing as a number ten as Kevin De Bruyne slowly returns to fitness, but Foden missed the Premier League match against Forest on Wednesday.
City already had Mateo Kovacic, John Stones, Rodri and Oscar Bobb on the bench, with De Bruyne uncertain of starting without being named in the starting line-up since September – until his return on Wednesday.
And now Foden could be set to be out after missing the must-win Forest clash. Its absence is attributed to bronchitis.
Foden missed a period at the start of the season, citing fatigue and burnout as a result of the Euro 2024 tournament and City’s long season.
Guardiola had said on Tuesday: “[Stones] is not close. Still is injured. He had a problem with his feet and don’t know… I would not say for the next week. Kevin is closer and getting better. The last few days is even better.”
City named a side vs Forest with four changes, as Ederson remained on the bench after being dropped against Liverpool at the weekend. Rico Lewis got a night off, but Kyle Walker remained among the substitutes with De Bruyne finally back in a starting line up.
Josko Gvardiol came back, shifting Manu Akanji to right-back, with Jeremy Doku on the right and Jack Grealish left.
City starting XI vs Nottingham Forest:
Ortega, Akanji, Dias, Ake, Gvardiol, Silva, Gundogan, De Bruyne, Doku, Grealish, Haaland.
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