Why Phil Foden missed Manchester City's Premier League game v Ipswich

Phil Foden was a shock omission from Manchester City’s team for the Premier League game against Ipswich Town on Saturday.

The Tractor Boys travelled to the Etihad for the first time in their history for the 3pm kick-off, with ex-City stars Arijanet Muric and Liam Delap in the the visiting line-up.

But fellow academy product Foden was not among the 40 players named across the two matchday squads, with the City star missing out through illness. The 24-year-old came off the bench in the second half against Chelsea last week, but both he and Nico O’Reilly dropped out of the squad this week.

In their place, the returning Ilkay Gundogan was named among the substitutes, along with Issa Kabore, who was also part of the matchday squad for the Community Shield.

Pep Guardiola opted to name the same XI against Ipswich that started at Stamford Bridge six days ago. Ederson was in nets ahead of a back four of Rico Lewis, Manuel Akanji, Ruben Dias and Josko Gvardiol. Kyle Walker, John Stones and Nathan Ake were again selected as substitutes.

In midfield, Rodri missed out due to injury, with Mateo Kovacic continuing at the base of midfield. Kevin De Bruyne and Bernardo Silva retained their spots in the middle.

Up front, Savinho has recovered from a knock in time to start, with Jeremy Doku on the opposite flank and Erling Haaland up front. Stefan Ortega, Matheus Nunes, James McAtee and Jack Grealish were named on the bench for City’s first home game of the new season.

City starting XI: Ederson; Lewis, Akanji, Dias, Gvardiol; Kovacic, Silva, De Bruyne; Savinho, Haaland, Doku.

Substitutes: Ortega, Walker, Kabore, Stones, Ake, Gundogan, Nunes, McAtee, Grealish.