Manchester City suffer second international break injury blow as Portugal star misses training to receive treatment

Pep Guardiola and Manchester City have been handed a second international break injury scare, less than 24 hours after Kyle Walker suffered a suspected hamstring problem.

Manchester City captain Kyle Walker was forced off during the first-half of England’s 0-1 loss to Brazil at Wembley Stadium on Saturday evening, with the right-back taken off after 20 minutes with a suspected hamstring injury.

Walker, who was handed the captain’s armband by Gareth Southgate in absence of Harry Kane, was replaced in the first-half by Ezri Konsa, just moments after receiving initial treatment for the issue.

The full-back is Pep Guardiola’s third injury concern ahead of next Sunday’s crucial Premier League clash with Arsenal at the Etihad Stadium, with both Kevin De Bruyne and Ederson missing international duty as a result of muscular injuries.

De Bruyne and Ederson both missed the Emirates FA Cup quarter-final win over Newcastle United at the Etihad Stadium last weekend, with goalkeeper Ederson facing the prospect of missing one month of action due to an injury sustained at Anfield earlier this month.

Jack Grealish also remains a fitness doubt for Guardiola, with the Englishman omitted from Southgate’s England squad for friendlies against both Brazil and Belgium due to recent injury issues.

Guardiola is facing a fourth potential injury concern ahead of the visit of the Gunners, after Matheus Nunes was forced to miss Portugal training to receive treatment for a ‘knock in his foot’, according to local outlet B24.

Portugal face Slovenia on Tuesday evening, with Nunes having also featured in Thursday’s 5-2 friendly win over Sweden, with the midfielder scoring in the 33rd minute.

Nunes has made 23 Manchester City appearances so far this season, after the 25-year-old swapped Wolves for the Etihad Stadium in a £53 million deal in September.

The midfielder has started 13 games for Guardiola’s side and could prove crucial in the coming weeks, with City scheduled to play nine matches before the end of April.