PHIL’S ON A FITNESS BID

PHIL FODEN is on a personal fitness crusade as he bids to land a role in Manchester City’s Quadruple run-in.

The City teenager, who turns 19 in May, has only started four domestic cup games for Pep Guardiola’s high-flyers this season.

And although he appreciates why he is no more than an unused sub most weeks in the Premier League, he believes the lack of regular action has affected his stamina to last 90 minutes.

Hence the need for him to put in some overtime on the training ground. The England Under-21s ace, who played 73 minutes of the 1-1 draw with Poland on Thursday, said: “It’s not easy to play all the time for my club – but I’m still young.

“I’ve lost quite a bit of fitness due to not playing but, hopefully, it’s now coming back slowly.

“I’ve been trying to do extra work after training by doing a few sprints, and then after a game doing a few lengths – so it gets you prepared for when you do play. But it’s nothing like playing a game, that’s totally different.”

The additional workload does not end there for dedicated Foden.

The slender playmaker, only 5ft 7ins, is also trying to beef himself up with a few sessions down the gym.

Adding a few pounds of muscle while waiting to get a few inches taller is essential, according to the Stockport-born starlet.

Foden, who is also expected to play for Aidy Boothroyd’s

Under-21s against Germany on Tuesday, added: “I’ve been working in the gym quite hard, just little things, not too much.

“You don’t need to be too big as a footballer, you just need a little bit on you. I go to the gym because it helps me physically. It’s paid off – this year I’ve been better with the upper-body stuff.

“And I’ve still got a lot more to grow. It would help me out if I did! But it’s just about being patient – it will happen in its own time. There’s no rush.”