Speaking before his team takes on Luton Town tomorrow at the Etihad Stadium, Pep Guardiola has revealed very little about the injury status of a host of stars. The champions will take on Luton Town tomorrow with a chance to move to the top of the Premier League table. They will head into tomorrow’s game with six key players coming into the game under an injury cloud.
There was no update provided by Pep Guardiola over the status of Nathan Ake and John Stones. Ake has been out since City’s nil-all with Arsenal due to a calf injury with his return date still unknown. John Stones played through injury during his team’s 3-all draw at the Bernabeu with Real Madrid, and his status for tomorrow’s game remains unknown.
Kevin De Bruyne missed the draw with Real Madrid due to food poisoning, and Phil Foden picked up a knock in the latter stages of the game. The pair have been pictured training since the game at the Bernabeu in positive news for the world champions.
Feelin’ good! 😁 pic.twitter.com/0NXJXM2s27
— Manchester City (@ManCity) April 10, 2024
Kyle Walker didn’t travel to Spain for the match against Real Madrid. He is currently recovering from a hamstring injury with his return date unknown. Pep Guardiola was asked the status of Walker, De Bruyne, and Foden, and he told the media: “We are training this afternoon so we will know better how they feel. (On Phil) I would like to tell you, but I didn’t speak to the doctors. After the press conference, we have a meeting, and we will see. (As for Kyle), I don’t know right now. Honestly, I would tell you. Josko was a doubt for Madrid, but our physios did an incredible job, and he could play.”
There was, however, positive news on Ederson’s recovery from a thigh injury from Guardiola. The City manager said Ederson is ready to play, and a decision will be made on who will start in goal out of the Brazilian shot stopper and Stefan Ortega. Guardiola said: “Eddie is the first choice. He was ready to play against Madrid. He is ready for tomorrow and we will make the decision.”
The final player who may miss tomorrow’s game is Manchester City’s midfield lynchpin Rodri. Rodri does appear in need of a rest, and he said similar in an interview published in the Daily Mail by Jack Gaughan following City’s draw with Real Madrid. Guardiola did state that if Rodri didn’t want to play, he wouldn’t be selected. The City manager said: “If a player does not want to play, he will not play. Simple. Another player will play. Take a look at our games and you realise. It is simple. Rodri is so important for the quality he gives us. Not just Rodri. I would love to rest our central defenders, but we [can’t because of international] friendly games and now we are now in big trouble.”
Attention will now shift to the announcement of Manchester City’s starting lineup for tomorrow’s game as to who has come up for the crucial clash with Luton Town. It is a must win game for the champions, and whatever players are available will have to ensure that City pick up the victory tomorrow regardless of who is available for the game.
