Guardiola Confirms Player’s Absence Due to Ankle Injury Ahead Of Madrid Clash.

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has provided an update on the team’s young talent, Cole Palmer, revealing that the midfielder is currently out of action due to an ankle problem.

As Manchester City find themselves in a pivotal stage of the season, with demanding fixtures in both the Premier League and Champions League, Guardiola faces the challenge of managing the squad’s fitness and ensuring top performance levels week after week.

Guardiola’s side sits comfortably at the top of the Premier League table, boasting a four-point lead ahead of Arsenal. However, to maintain their position, the manager will need to carefully rotate and rest players, aiming to uphold their high standards throughout the grueling schedule.

Speaking ahead of the recent victory against Leeds United, Guardiola confirmed the absence of young prospect Cole Palmer from the matchday squad. The England youth international, who has garnered praise from both Guardiola and the club’s staff, is currently recuperating from what the manager referred to as “disturbances” in his ankle.

Last summer, despite significant interest from clubs across the country, Manchester City decided to keep Palmer at the club. While some of his fellow academy graduates opted for loan moves to gain senior experience in lower divisions, Palmer remained a part of Guardiola’s plans for the future.

Guardiola’s comments suggest that Palmer’s injury setback will temporarily halt his progress on the field and also miss their Champions Semifinals clash against Real Madrid.