Manchester City have supposedly been dealt a late injury concern ahead of Saturday’s Premier League contest with Crystal Palace, which Phil Foden has emerged as a doubt for.
The 24-year-old led the line alongside Omar Marmoush in last weekend’s goalless Manchester derby draw with Manchester United, but he was taken off by Pep Guardiola just before the hour mark.
Rather than discussion surrounding a possible injury, the post-match reaction centred around despicable chants aimed towards Foden’s mother at Old Trafford, which both clubs condemned.
However, it has now been reported by the Manchester Evening News that Foden was indeed taken off due to a fitness concern, and it is uncertain whether he will be able to face Palace on Saturday lunchtime.
The outlet claims that the England international limped down the tunnel with the unspecified issue he sustained at the Theatre of Dreams, and he could be forced to sit out the first game of the weekend.
Foden ‘could miss’ Palace match after derby injury
© Imago
Foden’s potential unavailability would leave Guardiola down six players for the visit of Oliver Glasner‘s side, as none of his long-term victims will be back in action just yet either.
Manuel Akanji – who underwent surgery on an abductor problem in February – is the closest of the quintet to returning, but the Switzerland international is still expected to spend another couple of weeks on the sidelines.
Meanwhile, John Stones is not scheduled to come back from his thigh problem until the early stages of May, and the same goes for Erling Haaland, whose foot issue may take another month to heal.
Finally, Nathan Ake (foot) and Rodri (knee) are both battling to return before the end of the campaign, although the duo may be on track to compete at this summer’s Club World Cup.
While Foden has not hit the same lofty heights he did during his PFA Premier League Player of the Year-winning campaign last term, he has remained a key player for Guardiola, making 40 appearances in all competitions this season and managing 10 goals and six assists.
Who could replace Foden in Man City XI?
© Imago
As frustrating as Foden’s setback will be for the player himself, Guardiola is not starved of appropriate replacements for the 24-year-old, having elected to start a plethora of central players in the derby.
Foden, Marmoush, Kevin De Bruyne, Bernardo Silva, Ilkay Gundogan and Mateo Kovacic all appeared from the first whistle against Ruben Amorim‘s side, as Savinho, Jeremy Doku and Jack Grealish warmed the bench.
Any of the latter three options could do a job in Foden’s place against Crystal Palace, while James McAtee is a wildcard option in a creative role, but the 22-year-old is yet to start a top-flight game this season.
Man City enter the weekend in sixth place in the Premier League table on 52 points, but they can leapfrog Newcastle United and Chelsea (both 53) into the Champions League places with a draw on Saturday, thanks to their superior goal difference over the Magpies and better goals scored tally than the Blues.
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