Guardiola backs in-form Foden to play his way back into England squad

PEP Guardiola backed Phil Foden to return to the England squad if he can keep up his current form for City.

- By SIMON BAJKOWSKI

Phil Foden, above left, in Champions League action for City and, right, England

Foden had a disrupted start to the campaign with issues keeping him out of the Wolves and Brighton games early on, but has been transformed since the September international break.

A goal against United, an assist against Napoli and a goal and assist against Huddersfield have accompanied a run of six straight starts where he has impressed.

England manager Thomas Tuchel did say on Friday that Foden was 'back to influencing, deciding games for City' but said that he wanted to stick with the squad that he had worked with last month.