On Friday, Pep Guardiola gave an update on Mateo Kovacic, Rodri, and Phil Foden’s injuries.On Friday, Pep Guardiola gave an update on Mateo Kovacic, Rodri, and Phil Foden’s injuries.

At the London Stadium, Manchester City might be without one of their main players. The champions want to extend their unbeaten start to the Premier League season to three games when they visit the London Stadium on Saturday. Given that City has defeated the Hammers in 14 of their 16 league meetings, the odds are undoubtedly in their favor.

Foden scored two goals on the last day of the 2023–24 season, but he might not play this weekend at all. The City player was not available for the victory against Ipswich last week, according to club sources indicating that he was ill.

But while there was disappointing news on Foden ahead of West Ham, Guardiola delivered a more encouraging update on midfielders Rodri and Mateo Kovacic.

“Rodri is much better. Kova as well. Phil still doesn’t feel good. The rest are okay,” the Catalan said in his weekly press conference.

Rodri only returned to training this week following the leg injury he sustained in the final of Euro 2024, and the Spaniard has not played since that game in Berlin nearly seven weeks ago. Therefore, he’s unlikely to start against West Ham.

As for Kovacic, the ex-Chelsea man was replaced after 50 minutes in the win over Ipswich after colliding with Liam Delap. But having shaken off the knock, he could be in line to deputise for Rodri at the base of midfield once again.

Meanwhile, West Ham’s only absentee is Aaron Cresswell, with the left-back sustaining a hamstring injury in the warm-up ahead of the midweek Carabao Cup victory against Bournemouth.

“It was a pity because he was working very hard to have this chance and unfortunately he suffered his injury,” manager Julen Lopetegu said. “We don’t know exactly how long he will be out, but we will wait for the medical test tomorrow or the day after to know more.”