Guardiola explains why Phil stayed on the bench for Bees clash

PEP Guardiola decided against bringing Phil Foden back for City against Brentford for two reasons.

- JOE BRAY

First, City were yet to wrap up the win over a battling Brentford side so Guardiola did not want to risk a player who wasn't fully fit in a game still on a knifeedge.

And second, to preserve the forward for a busy schedule ahead, conscious of the tests against Inter Milan and Arsenal to follow in the next seven days.

Foden was back in the matchday squad after missing the previous two City games with illness before withdrawing from international duty.

He had trained in the days before City edged past Brentford, but remained on the bench and didn't warm up at all throughout the game.

"He is good but he has not had that many training sessions with us so step by step," Guardiola explained.

"But come on, I am delighted he is back so I need him, we need him desperately.