Why Kalvin Phillips is absent from the Manchester City squad against Wolves

Kalvin Phillips is absent from the Manchester City matchday squad against Wolves in the Premier League on Saturday afternoon.

The Premier League champions travel to the West Midlands for their final English top-flight match before a two-week international break.

Pep Guardiola's side have had a relatively short turn around since their last outing, and so the clash against Bruno Lage's men this weekend will pose as a greater threat than perhaps usual.

Manchester City come in to the clash off the back of a 2-1 win over Borussia Dortmund on Wednesday night.

A Jude Bellingham header in the second-half was cancelled out by a John Stones effort from distance, before an Erling Haaland acrobatic finish secured all three points for the Etihad outfit to maintain their 100% winning start to their Champions League campaign.

However, it now seems as though Pep Guardiola has been hit with an injury concern from Wednesday night, with Kalvin Phillips absent from the City matchday squad at Molineux this weekend.

The England international has struggled for game time since his move from Leeds United this summer, allowing for Rodri to have a clear run at the defensive midfield slot in the starting XI.

The word from Manchester City on Phillips' fitness is that he is simply 'not fully fit' to make the side that takes on the final Premier League challenge before the international break this weekend.

The problem concerning Phillips has meant that Rodri will be allowed no rest this weekend.

The Spanish international starts once again for Pep Guardiola, in a strong starting line-up to take on Wolves.

A defensive line of Manuel Akanji, Ruben Dias, Joao Cancelo, and John Stones lines up at Molineux, with the latter expected to continue at right-back.

Manchester City's midfield trio consists of the aforementioned Rodri, complimented by Kevin De Bruyne and Bernardo Silva.

Phil Foden and Jack Grealish are the wingers, despite the latter being subjected to widespread criticism for his recent performances.

The least shocking revelation comes at striker, with Erling Haaland leading the line once again for Manchester City.