Phil Foden was back in Manchester City training ahead of the trip to Juventus.Phil Foden was back in Manchester City training ahead of the trip to Juventus.
Phil Foden was back in Manchester City training ahead of the trip to Juventus. | Getty Images
Manchester City’s travelling squad should feature at least one player returning from a recent absence.
Manchester City received a major boost ahead of their Champions League trip to Juventus, with two key players spotted in training on Tuesday.
Phil Foden has missed the last two games against Nottingham Forest and Crystal Palace due to a bout of bronchitis, but he was among those who took part in the opening training session.
His absnece at the weekend reduced City’s numbers further amid their ongoing injury issues. Foden was one of seven players to miss the draw at Selhurst Park on Saturday, along with John Stones, Nathan Ake, Manuel Akanji, Rodri, Mateo Kovacic and Oscar Bobb. Of the six injured players, Kovaicic was the only player back in training, further boosting Pep Guardiola’s numbers ahead of the midweek Champions League encounter.
Jack Grealish and Jeremy Doku were also part of the group. The pair were only deemed fit enough for late substitute appearances against Palace as they felt fatigued in the build-up to the game after recovering from respective injuries over recent weeks.
It’s hoped they could be options from the off against Juventus, a match which is increasingly looking like a must-win for the Premier League champions. City have won just two of their five Champions League matches this term and sit 17th in the 36-team league. It could take victories in all of their final three matches - against Juve, Paris Saint-Germain and Club Brugge - for City to secure a top-eight finish and automatic qualification to the last-16 of the Champions League.
Juventus, the 36-time Italian champions, also have eight points so far and are in need of a victory to keep their hopes of qualification alive. The Old Lady welcomed Douglas Luiz and Weston McKennie back to training this week but also have several absentees due to injury.
As for Foden, some of his best performances have come in the Champions League this season. He has netted all three goals so far this term in Europe and hasn’t missed a game in the competition, that’s despite playing just 10 of City’s 15 Premier League matches.
Kovacic has not played since 9 November due to an injury that he picked up over the international break which caused him to miss the last five City matches.
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