Ilkay Gundogan injury: Manchester City midfielder unavailable for Everton trip with groin problem

Gundogan set to miss trip to Goodison Park with groin injury

Manchester City midfielder Ilkay Gundogan (Getty Images)

Ilkay Gundogan is likely to be unavailable for Manchester City’s trip to Everton, while Sergio Aguero is not yet ready to start and Kevin De Bruyne has returned to training.

Gundogan was substituted after scoring twice in during City's 3-0 win over Tottenham on Saturday with a groin complaint.

The Germany international has been in exceptional form, scoring 11 goals in his last 11 appearances as Pep Guardiola’s side have established themselves as overwhelming Premier League title favourites.

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Guardiola, however, does not expect Gundogan to be fully fit to play at Goodison Park.

“Gundo is much better but I don't think he's available for tomorrow,” the City manager said.

Aguero was an unused substitute against Tottenham on his first appearance in a match day squad since recovering from Covid-19.

City’s all-time leading goalscorer has struggled for consistent minutes this season, having undergone knee surgery before the start of the campaign and suffered a hamstring injury during the autumn.

Aguero did not take part in the pre-match warm-up against Tottenham and Guardiola does not yet feel that he is ready to start against Everton but will name him among his substitutes.

“Sergio is one year injured so cannot start from the beginning but he is ready to come back,” he said. “He was on the bench last game and will be again.”

De Bruyne has missed City’s last five Premier League games with a hamstring injury picked up in the 2-0 win over Aston Villa, but Guardiola confirmed on Tuesday that the Belgian is training again.

“He’s getting better, really, all training with the group, with all of us,” he said. “He’s feeling much better.”