Ahead of Manchester City’s crucial Champions League clash, Pep Guardiola faces a growing injury list as both Jeremy Doku and Jack Grealish were absent from training, adding to the manager’s concerns.
Kyle Walker, who picked up a knee injury during his international duties with England, was also missing from the training session, further fueling speculation about his availability for Wednesday’s match against Sparta Prague. With no sign of Grealish or Doku in the portion of the session open to the media, their potential absence could be a significant blow to Guardiola’s plans.
On a brighter note, Kevin De Bruyne was seen back in training as he continues his recovery from a thigh injury that has sidelined him for five weeks. However, Guardiola was quick to temper expectations, admitting that the Belgian star is still not ready to return to competitive action. “It’s not a big issue but he doesn’t feel completely fine, and Kevin is not 22 years old anymore,” Guardiola remarked during his pre-match press conference. “He has to be fit completely for his football. He has to be completely comfortable or he cannot express his potential.”
De Bruyne, who returned to training last week, remains cautious about rushing back too soon. Guardiola emphasized patience: “He is training a little bit better. He said to me he still doesn’t feel good, so take your time. He has to be [100% ready].”
As for Kyle Walker, Guardiola offered no clear timeline on his return, simply stating, “I don’t know.” The uncertainty surrounding these key players leaves City fans eagerly awaiting updates ahead of the crucial European tie.
