New injury blow as Pep Guardiola reveals Manchester City midfielder suffering from ‘leg niggles’ | OneFootball

Pep Guardiola has revealed a new addition to Manchester City’s fitness concerns in the centre of the park, amid recovery processes being endured by Mateo Kovacic and Rodri.

City enter the weekend preparing for a challenging Premier League contest against Leeds United with growing issues within their midfield depth. While Rodri continues rehabilitation from a hamstring problem and Mateo Kovacic remains sidelined for the long-term future, Guardiola has acknowledged the strain placed on his options in the middle of the pitch.

The intensity of City’s schedule has contributed to concerns, with Champions League, Premier League, and Carabao Cup commitments piling pressure on the core of Pep Guardiola’s squad over the course of the winter schedule.

The manager has repeatedly emphasised the importance of rotations, but with limited available midfielders, the burden on key players has been heavier than anticipated. At the same time, the situation of Kalvin Phillips remains a persistent subplot at the Etihad Stadium.

The midfielder has struggled to regain momentum following multiple loan spells and injury issues, and questions surrounding his match readiness continue to surface as Pep Guardiola assesses his squad ahead of each fixture.

Ahead of the clash with Phillips’ former club Leeds United on Saturday afternoon, Guardiola was quizzed on the fitness of the Englishman – who was absent from midweek training prior to the European clash with Bayer Leverkusen.

“He has some problems, some niggles in his leg. And he needs time to recover,” Guardiola said of his out-of-favour defensive midfielder.

Phillips’ latest issue will only deepen speculation surrounding his short and long-term prospects. With January approaching – and several clubs monitoring developments – any fresh injury setback could complicate plans for potential moves or loan arrangements.

In the immediate term, Guardiola must once again piece together his midfield for another high-intensity domestic fixture. It is likely City will lean heavily on the versatility of players who have been increasingly involved in recent weeks.

Looking further ahead, Kalvin Phillips’ recovery timeline may influence City’s ability to negotiate a winter exit. Persistent concerns could reduce interest, while City may prefer to keep him until fully fit to preserve his value and ensure adequate squad emergency depth.