Manchester City are without Kyle Walker for Wednesday’s UEFA Champions League meeting with FC Copenhagen.
The England defender was withdrawn at half-time in Sunday’s 6-3 Manchester derby at the Etihad with a muscle problem and was not involved in training, meaning he is sidelined for the visit of Danish opposition in Europe.
Midfielder Rodri could return against Copenhagen but Walker’s Three Lions team-mates John Stones and Kalvin Phillips are still out.
“We will train this afternoon and we will know exactly,” Pep Guardiola said of the latest City news at his pre-match press conference on Tuesday.
“Rodri is feeling better, but Kyle, I think, is out. But we have training later.”
Asked if Phillips could be available ahead of the World Cup, Guardiola added: “I hope so. I hope for him and the national team. But I’m not a physio – the doctor told me he’s fine.’
Ruben Dias only made the bench against United, although there was good news defensively. Aymeric Laporte played the first few minutes of the season after undergoing knee surgery over the summer and both Nathan Ake and Manuel Akanji are capable replacements at centre-back.
With City’s strong position in Group G, rotation could be in order, especially with a trip to Liverpool in the Premier League looming.
Guardiola has already confirmed that Erling Haaland will need to be rested at times and Wednesday’s match seems to be the perfect opportunity.
Man City predicted starting lineup: Ederson; Cancelo, Akanji, Ake, Gomez; Gundogan, Silva, De Bruyne; Palmer, Alvarez, Grealish
Copenhagen predicted starting lineup: Ryan; Diks, Vavro, Khocholava, Kristiansen; Claesson, Falk, Zeca, Stramenic, Daramy; Cornelius
