Pep Guardiola has admitted that he doesn’t know if Manchester Metropolis and England defender Kyle Walker will play once more this season.
The complete-back has missed Metropolis’s final 4 video games because of an ankle damage. This was suffered towards Atletico Madrid earlier this month.
Walker is unavailable for this weekend’s recreation towards Leeds United. He’s additionally a doubt for Metropolis’s Champions League semi-final second leg versus Actual Madrid on Wednesday.
Man Utd quintet characteristic in Premier League XI of gamers prepared for step down
Requested at a press convention if he knew whether or not Walker would return this season, Guardiola mentioned on Friday: “I don’t know proper now.”
Man Metropolis are at a important juncture of their season, with little margin for error, as they chase home and European glory.
With 5 Premier League video games remaining they maintain a one-point lead over Liverpool on the high of the desk.
Their tie with Actual can also be delicately poised after Tuesday’s compelling 4-3 draw towards the Spanish giants on the Etihad Stadium.
With quite a few crunch fixtures forward, Guardiola mentioned it was vital to concentrate on the gamers he knew had been match.
He mentioned: “He’s injured – sadly for all of us and him particularly – however I don’t concentrate. He has to work to return again as quickly as doable. I’m targeted on the remainder of the gamers.”
Fellow defender John Stones can also be unavailable this weekend after hobbling off within the first half in midweek however might be in competition by Wednesday.
Guardiola mentioned: “For tomorrow John is out and we’ll see for Wednesday.”
With the title race heading for a decent end, Liverpool ahead Mohamed Salah was named as Soccer Writers’ Affiliation males’s participant of the 12 months on Friday.
The Egyptian, who has scored 30 objectives for Jurgen Klopp’s quadruple-chasing Reds this season, beat Metropolis’s Kevin De Bruyne into second place.
Guardiola supplied his congratulations to Salah however hinted at doable frustration as he did so.
He mentioned: “Congratulations to Salah. Jurgen mentioned they’ve one of the best keeper, the second-best keeper on the planet, one of the best central defender, one of the best holding midfielder, one of the best striker – so it’s regular they win all of the awards.”
Klopp this week signed a brand new contract with Liverpool, committing himself to the Anfield outfit till 2026.
Guardiola’s contract at Metropolis expires on the finish of subsequent season however he insists Klopp’s scenario won’t immediate him to attempt to hurry his personal renewal choice.
The Spaniard mentioned: “I don’t know. The main focus is on Leeds. That’s the vital factor.
“Congratulations to Jurgen and Liverpool. I feel it’s actually good for the Premier League. I want him all one of the best for the longer term. My future is Leeds, our future is Leeds after which the tip of the season.
“I’m having fun with this a part of the season and after we’ll have time. I’m extremely completely satisfied and couldn’t be in a greater place to be working.
“I can not visualise a greater place however it’s not simply me, it’s many issues, different conditions. With calmness, we’re going to take the choice we’re going to take.”
