Following their 4-nil win over Slovan Bratislava Manchester City will take on Fulham in Premier League action at the Etihad Stadium tomorrow. The world champions will be hoping to pick three points against Marco Silva’s side in Manchester City’s last match before the international break. Pep Guardiola told the media today that his team will head into tomorrow’s game with four players unavailable.
The City manager was asked about the condition of his squad during his pre-game press conference earlier today. Guardiola told the media that he has four players out of the game due to injury. He said: “Everyone else except Nathan, Kevin, Rodri and Oscar. The rest are OK. Kevin is not ready for tomorrow.”
News broke earlier today that Kevin De Bruyne would miss Belgium’s upcoming fixtures. Guardiola explained that Manchester City’s inspirational midfielder is still injured. Therefore his non-selection for Belgium makes sense. Guardiola added: “How can you play for the national team when you have not played? I never understood that. He did not say he will retire from Belgium to me. For that game he is injured so is not available.”
Rodri, Nathan Ake and Oscar Bobb are out with long-term injuries. Although there may be hope that Ake may return after the international break. But that remains to be seen. Oscar Bobb should return late this year or early next year from a fractured leg. Rodri is out for the season after suffering an ACL injury in his right knee.
Manchester City will be without four players for tomorrow’s clash with Fulham. But that was already known so it is good news for City that every other player is available for tomorrow’s match.