England midfielder Kalvin Phillips returned from the World Cup overweight and not in the right condition to play, Manchester City coach Pep Guardiola said.
Phillips was brought on as a substitute for just 40 minutes in the final, having not started for City since his move from Leeds United in the close season due to a shoulder injury.
Second-placed City, who return to the Premier League in Leeds on Wednesday, will once again be without 27-year-old Phillips, much to his manager’s frustration.
“He’s not injured, he came (back) overweight,” Guardiola said. “I do not know why). He was not in the condition to do training and play.
“That’s why he can’t play. When he’s ready, he’ll play because we need him, we need him badly.”
Asked if he was disappointed to see Phillips return in such a condition, Guardiola added: “It’s a private conversation with Kalvin.”
The representatives of the FA and Phillips, ICM Stellar Sports, declined to comment on Guardiola’s comments.
Looking for a fifth league title in the last six seasons, City resume the campaign trailing Arsenal by four points.
After the World Cup break, they got back to winning ways with a thrilling 3-2 League Cup victory over Liverpool on Thursday.