Manchester City journalist Simon Bajkowski has dropped an update regarding the current injury situation surrounding midfielder Kalvin Phillips ahead of City's upcoming Premier League clash against Crystal Palace at the weekend.
What's the news?
During City's recent charity match against Barcelona, Phillips was taken off after picking up what Bajkowski described as an injury to the midfielder's forearm.
In a recent Twitter post, the journalist revealed:
"Kalvin Phillips will have more detailed assessments before Palace but #mcfc are encouraged that the injury that forced him off against Barcelona isn't as bad as it looked."
City signed the 26-year-old earlier in the current summer transfer window from fellow Premier League side Leeds United in a deal worth a reported fee of £45m.
Since then, the England international has only played one minute of league action for the Citizens but did end up playing 57 minutes of action against the Spanish club in midweek before his injury forced him off.
In 20 league appearances for Leeds last season, no other player at the Yorkshire club managed to win more tackles in the midfield third than Phillips (33), highlighting the defensive talent he has.
A big relief for Guardiola
While this isn't a confirmation over whether the Englishman will be available for selection to take on the Eagles on Saturday, this latest update is a positive one and will be a big relief for Pep Guardiola that the injury doesn't look as serious as first thought.
Even though the league champions have Rodri in their squad that has started all three of their league games so far this season, having Phillips available would be a massive help for Guardiola in case the Spaniard were to pick up an injury himself and needed the Englishman to come in and replace him.
Although, with the former Leeds star's defensive skills and the fact that no other side in the league this season have made more carries into the 18 yard box than Palace (22), perhaps having Phillips in the starting XI this weekend could be the best way of making sure City don't end up dropping points, especially as his tackles in midfield could stop the Eagles from carrying the ball into City's box.
With that in mind, everyone at the Manchester club will surely have their fingers crossed that the midfielder can shake off his midweek injury and be fit enough for selection at the weekend.