Pep Guardiola provides Phil Foden fitness update ahead of Bayern Munich and Arsenal showdowns

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has delivered a fitness update on Phil Foden ahead of a crucial run of fixtures across competitions this month.

The 22 year-old has been absent for a number of weeks now after undergoing surgery in London on his appendix during the most recent international break, which forced him to withdraw early from England commitments.

Since then, Manchester City have largely not felt his absence as they continue to build upon an impressive run of form during the most crucial stage of the campaign, and with plenty of mammoth contests on the horizon.

However, given the size of the challenges that lie ahead for Pep Guardiola and his players, they will almost certainly need Phil Foden back as soon as possible, if they are to mount a serious challenge for the three trophies that remain on offer to them.

When quizzed on the progress being made by the England international in recent days and weeks, Pep Guardiola responded during his pre-match press conference on Friday afternoon, “(He is) At home. I don’t know.

“I think he will be back to the training centre to be with the doctors. I think he feels better. I spoke with the doctor three days ago and he feels better. But still he’s not ready.

“I don’t know (when we will have him available). We he starts to train you will know it, from our social media, I think so. After that he will be closer to coming back, but still he cannot train with us.”

Manchester City return to Premier League action this weekend with a home tie against Leicester City, just days after taking a serious advantage into a Champions League quarter-final second-leg with Bayern Munich next week.

Goals from Rodri, Bernardo Silva, and Erling Haaland mean Manchester City will get things underway at the Allianz Arena with the scoreline at 0-3, with a semi-final place against either Real Madrid or Chelsea up for grabs.

Following the trip to Germany next week, an FA Cup semi-final showdown looms, with Sheffield United the opponents at Wembley Stadium, as either Brighton or Manchester United awaits in the final later in the season.