Manchester City midfielder absent from Portugal squad against Slovenia following foot problem

Pep Guardiola and his Manchester City coaching staff will be left sweating by the latest update concerning Portuguese midfielder Matheus Nunes this week.

The latest development concerning a fitness scare amongst Manchester City’s international contingent comes after consecutive problems involving Pep Guardiola’s defensive unit over the last few days.

Kyle Walker was withdrawn from action in England’s 0-1 defeat to Brazil over the course of the weekend, having sustained a first-half hamstring issue that ultimately forced an early return to Manchester City prior to his nation’s meeting with Belgium on Tuesday night.

Manuel Akanji became the second to succumb to an injury problem, after the Switzerland international defender withdrew from availability to face Ireland in a friendly this week, with his national team coach crediting the exit to a ‘knock’.

In similar fashion, Manchester City have received an update concerning Matheus Nunes ahead of the full return of their international representatives, with a Premier League clash against Arsenal on the horizon in the Premier League.

As per confirmation of team news ahead of Portugal’s international friendly meeting with Slovenia on Tuesday evening, it has now been revealed that Matheus Nunes will not make up part of Roberto Martinez’s matchday squad.

That omission for the Manchester City midfielder comes after the 25-year-old missed training earlier this week with a ‘knock to his foot’. However, there have since been no further updates on the severity of the issue.

Pep Guardiola is not scheduled to face the media until Friday afternoon, however the Manchester City manager is likely to offer a full update on the fitness of his squad ahead of a crucial run of matches across all competitions.

The meeting with Arsenal is followed up by a hectic run of games throughout the April period, with an FA Cup semi-final against Chelsea and a UEFA Champions League quarter-final against Real Madrid accompanied by numerous Premier League clashes.