Pep Guardiola details recent Kyle Walker omission prior to Chelsea clash

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has discussed Kyle Walker’s recent struggles with injury, as the Sky Blues prepare to face Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Thursday evening.

Pep Guardiola’s side will have the opportunity to move within five points of league leaders Arsenal with a win, as City look to bounce back from a frustrating 1-1 draw with Everton on New Year’s Eve.

City have played three matches since returning from the FIFA World Cup however right-back Kyle Walker is yet to feature for the Premier League champions.

Despite playing for England in Qatar, the 32 year-old hasn’t played for City since a 6-3 win over Manchester United in early October, where the full-back suffered a groin injury which required surgery.

Teen Rico Lewis has started the past two Premier League matches ahead of the England international, making his full league debut against Leeds United at Elland Road.

Ahead of Thursday’s trip to Stamford Bridge, Guardiola has revealed the reason for Walker’s recent absence from the City team and emphasised the importance of his return to full fitness.

“Yesterday he made the first good training session since coming back – he had niggles, some problems and he could not train,” said the 51 year-old.

“Yesterday was the first time I saw the Kyle I know.

“He didn’t play for a long, long time with us. Of the last 34 games I think he played 11 so that’s a long time out.

“We need Kyle back as soon as possible, at his best. Definitely, we need him. Rico is not going to solve the problems, Rico is going to help us.

“You know what Kyle can do because he has shown it for a long, long, long time. The young players have to help the other ones, we cannot put it on Rico’s shoulders.”

Walker joined Manchester City from Spurs in 2017 and has made over 220 appearances and won 11 trophies at the Etihad Stadium.