Jeremy Doku and Jack Grealish were not present in training ahead of Manchester City’s Champions League game to give Pep Guardiola another injury worry.
Kyle Walker is nursing a knee problem that he picked up on England duty and did not participate in the group session to prepare for Wednesday’s game with Sparta Prague. There was no sign of Grealish or Doku either in the first 15 minutes of training open to media, raising concerns that they could also miss the game.
Kevin De Bruyne was training as he recovers from a thigh injury that has kept him out for five weeks, although Pep Guardiola indicated on Tuesday that he doesn’t expect the player to be fit to play yet and was unable to give a timeframe for his return. The Belgian returned to training last week but is cautious of coming back before he is 100 per cent.
“It’s not a big issue but he doesn’t feel completely fine and Kevin is not 22 years old anymore,” said Guardiola on De Bruyne in 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.
“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].”
On when Walker might return, the manager said: “I don’t know.”
