Seven Manchester City players missing from training as Nathan Ake returns for Wolves clash | OneFootball

Pep Guardiola was without seven members of his first-team squad as Manchester City returned to training ground duties on Thursday afternoon.

It is the first time that the Premier League champions have taken on City Football Academy duties since the conclusion of the penultimate international break of the year, with contests involving City stars spread across the UEFA Nations League and FIFA World Cup qualifiers.

Pep Guardiola and his players are beginning their preparations for their return to Premier League action on Sunday afternoon, as they travel to Molineux for a meeting against bottom of the division and winless Wolverhampton Wanderers.

City could not have had a more contrasting start this season, remaining unbeaten across all competitions and just a point behind the league leaders Liverpool, progressing into the fourth round of the Carabao Cup and recording one win and a draw in Champions League action.

Whilst Manchester City’s Sunday scheduling for their return to Premier League action hands them additional time for preparation, rest, and recovery, their personnel present at the CFA was severely limited on Thursday afternoon.

Kevin De Bruyne remained absent from the first phase of the training session having not undertaken any duties on-field or in training since a groin problem picked up on matchday one of the UEFA Champions League against Inter last month.

Manchester City’s Brazilian duo of Ederson and Savinho were also absent from Manchester City’s training squad, with the pair returning late from their South American jaunt and contest in FIFA World Cup qualification.

Additionally, Kyle Walker and Manuel Akanji were also absent from the opening section of training on Thursday, with no further word on their situation as they join the long-term injured Oscar Bobb and Rodri.

In more positive news, Nathan Ake made his first return to Manchester City training ground duties on Thursday having recovered from a hamstring injury sustained during the September international break.

Pep Guardiola will likely provide an update on Ake’s availability, as well as the other list of absentees from training when he returns to his own media duties in a pre-match press conference on Friday afternoon.