City pair battling to make World Cup

KYLE Walker and Kalvin Phillips will not return to action for Manchester City before Gareth Southgate names his England squad on November 10 but Pep Guardiola believes both players can still make it to the World Cup.

Guardiola has been talking about the chances of Walker and Phillips travelling to Qatar ahead of England’s opening

World Cup fixture against Iran on November 21.

Walker underwent groin surgery at the start of the month while Phillips, the £ 42million summer signing from Leeds, had a shoulder operation in September, having only played a total of 14 competitive minutes for City across three substitute appearances since arriving.

“They are positive, they are optimistic,” Guardiola said of the injured pair.

“They are in touch with Gareth (Southgate). I don’t know. I hope they are ready to be selected.

“Then it is a question for the national team rather than me.”

Phillips, who was injured in the friendly against Barcelona on August 24, has returned to light training and

Guardiola suggested there was a chance he could return to action for City before the World Cup kicks off on November 20.

But even if he does, it would only come after Southgate is due to name his squad, potentially leaving the England manager with a dilemma over whether to select a player whose fitness levels will be uncertain.

“What ( Phillips) says to me when I find him in the canteen or locker room, or on the trip to Dortmund, he said he feels really well,” Guardiola said.

“His mobility in the shoulder is perfect.

“He’s started to train in contact with the ball. He has to avoid contact with team-mates but he’s really well.

“We’re surprised at how quick his development has been.”

Meanwhile, City legend Ferdandinho says he still keeps a close eye on his former club now he’s back in Brazil with Athletico Paranaense.

He said: “City is one of the few clubs I would sit down on the couch and watch play. They play football beautifully and I feel privileged to have made history there.”