Robinson issues ‘desperate’ Phil Foden claim as pictures emerge from Man City
Paul Robinson has tipped Man City to rest Phil Foden and their other World Cup stars for the League Cup clash against Liverpool.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the former Spurs and England number one suspects Foden will be “desperate” to play in the round of 16 tie.
Pep Guardiola’s side host Liverpool at the Etihad on Thursday (22 December).
As pictured by club media (21 December), Foden, Jack Grealish and Nathan Ake have returned to first-team training ahead of the clash.
John Stones, Bernardo Silva, Manuel Akanji and Joao Cancelo also trained.
When asked by Football Insider if the players at the World Cup would likely feature on Thursday, Robinson said: “Foden will be desperate to play but I cannot see any of the players from the World Cup being risked.
“Look at the break the players who didn’t go to the World Cup have had. I think managers will be keen for the players who have been away to have a decent break as well.
“Yes, at this time of year players are used to playing twice a week but there is not a need for it.
“I cannot see Guardiola risking Foden from the start. I think he will be on the bench at a push.
“City can more than cope without him. It will be a depleted Liverpool side so they do not need the England players.”
In other news, Liverpool have been ‘backed into corner’ and are set to field a weakened team v Man City as injuries pile up.