Sore foot puts Foden on sidelines

PHIL FODEN is struggling with a persistent foot injury that could rule him out of Manchester City’s FA Cup clash with Arsenal on Friday. Foden, who has started just three Premier League matches since mid-October, suffered the problem during the 2-1 defeat at Manchester United on January 14.

Pep Guardiola revealed that the issue has yet to settle down, with Foden feeling pain after attempting to train in the build-up to yesterday’s victory over Wolves.

‘It was an action at Old Trafford, a jump with (Aaron) Wan-Bissaka. He fell down and had a problem with his feet,’ said Guardiola. ‘He’s been struggling with it. It’s painful. ‘After two or three days’ rest it gets better and he starts (playing) and goes down. So we have decided for him to stay with the doctors and recover well to see if he can arrive against Arsenal.

‘If he is not fit, we will wait until the next game against Spurs (on February 5). He cannot train well, he is a little bit uncomfortable, so we decided to give him a few days off.’