Pep Guardiola left with Kalvin Phillips fitness concern following post-World Cup break

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has been left with concerns over the fitness status of midfielder Kalvin Phillips, upon the return of competitive football to the Etihad club.

The majority of the Premier League champions’ international players have now returned to the club following the conclusion of the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, with the exception of Julian Alvarez after Argentina’s ultimate triumph in the competition.

Manchester City had the highest number of players at the tournament in the middle-east, with a total of 16 first-team players representing their respective nations in a bid to lift football’s greatest prize.

Athletes returned to the City Football Academy in staggered fashion, based on how far they and their country progressed in the World Cup, with Ilkay Gundogan and Kevin De Bruyne being the first to return following Germany and Belgium’s early exits.

While Manchester City’s English contingent have now returned to the club in the last few days, one player was unable to immediately partake in training with the rest of his teammates, and subsequently missed the 3-2 Carabao Cup win over Liverpool on Thursday night.

That player is City midfielder and England star Kalvin Phillips, with Pep Guardiola providing a significant update on his summer signing after the victory at the Etihad Stadium.

Speaking to the media after the win over Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool, Guardiola explained, “Kalvin Phillips is not fit.”

“He did not arrive (back at Manchester City) in the best condition to train and play.”

Kalvin Phillips will be hoping to get back up to speed in time for Manchester City’s next fixture, as the Premier League champions return to English top-flight action for the first time since the FIFA World Cup break on December 28.

Pep Guardiola and his players face a stern test as they take on Jesse Marsch’s Leeds United side at Elland Road, and will be keen to make amends for their 1-2 defeat against Brentford at the Etihad Stadium last month.