Pep Guardiola’s injury update on Kalvin Phillips & assessment on World Cup chances for England

Pep Guardiola has said he thinks Kalvin Phillips will have returned from injury in time for the World Cup, despite the Manchester City midfielder set for surgery on a recurring shoulder problem.

The 26-year-old has endured a difficult start to life at the Etihad and has played just 13 minutes for City since signing from Leeds United in the summer.

ManchesterWorld reported on Saturday that Phillips has been forced to pull out of the latest Three Lions squad due to the shoulder issue, and is now a doubt for the World Cup which is just over two months away.

But Guardiola shed more light on the situation when speaking after Saturday’s 3-0 win away to Wolverhampton Wanderers, and believes there is a chance Phillips could still be on the flight to Qatar.

“[It’s a] problem with his shoulder again, maybe he will need surgery [in the] next days,” Guardiola explained.

Asked if Phillips’ absence has been a frustration, the City manager responded: “Absolutely. For us as well. We need him and probably cannot play all the games [without him].

“Kalvin comes from that to fight for the position. Sometimes you need two holding midfielders [who are] more defensive.

“Now, he will be [out] not long, but a little bit longer. It’s every time it’s [the shoulder] out and out. The doctors say when you go out three or four times, the shoulder, the only solution is surgery.”

Guardiola was also quizzed on Phillips’ chances of making it to the World Cup and he responded: “I don’t know. I am no doctor. But he could arrive [in time] for the World Cup.”

“I think so but I am not a doctor. The doctor said the only solution is what we have to do.”

City made it five wins from their opening seven league games on Saturday when they came away from Molineux with a 3-0 win thanks to goals from Jack Grealish, Erling Haaland and Phil Foden.

After a week off from club football due to the international break, City host Manchester United in their next Premier League fixture, on Sunday 2 October.