Erling Haaland feels better with his injury but Pep Guardiola does not expect Kyle Walker or Kalvin Phillips to play for Manchester City before the World Cup.
Phillips has been sidelined for the last six weeks with a shoulder problem, while Walker needed emergency groin surgery after coming off injured in the derby. The pair have been fighting to return to fitness both for their club and to give themselves the best chance possible of making the World Cup for England.
Guardiola expects both players to be available for Gareth Southgate, but does not think either will be ready for the intensity of City's two upcoming Premier League games in the next fortnight. Ultimately, it will come down to the England manager to determine if he can call on them for the Qatar tournament.
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"Kalvin is doing partial training sessions with the team so not contact yet but we will see the evolution and the needs," said Guardiola. "I know how important the World Cup is but I’m not going to use a player if they are not ready in physicality or rhythm.
"My feeling right now is all the games will be tight with an incredible amount of games in a short space of time so I don’t think against Fulham with the quality of the opponent and Brentford it will be tight, similar to Leicester and that’s why we will evaluate if he is in the best condition to play. We’ve been impressed with Kyle’s recovery but he is late compared to Kalvin."
Guardiola confirmed that Haaland feels better as he recovers from a bruised ligament in his foot, but the player is still not training with the team yet as City continue to hope for a return against Fulham.
"He feels better. Comparing Saturday, Sunday to Monday he feels better but still not 100 per cent, there is no point risking him. Hopefully we can have against Fulham."
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