Manchester City have not given up hope that Kyle Walker will make himself available for their Champions League clash with Real Madrid next week, sources have told ESPN.
Walker has missed City’s last two games, against Arsenal and Aston Villa, after picking up a hamstring injury while playing for England during the international break.
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He is set to miss their trip to Crystal Palace on Saturday but, according to sources, the 33-year-old has not been completely ruled out of the Champions League quarterfinal first leg at the Bernabéu on Tuesday.
Pep Guardiola is ready to give Walker as much time as possible to prove his fitness, believing that he is key to their plan to deal with Real Madrid winger Vinícius Júnior, although the final decision will be made by the England defender himself in consultation with club medical staff.
If Walker is not available, it is likely that Guardiola will pick 19-year-old Rico Lewis at right-back.
Meanwhile, sources have told ESPN that City are bracing themselves for Kalvin Phillips to return to the club in the summer.
The midfielder is on loan at West Ham until the end of the season but it is becoming increasingly unlikely that they will try to make the move permanent at the end of the season.
Phillips, who has a contract at the Etihad until 2028, has endured a miserable run of form at West Ham, starting just three games.
City, according to sources, will be open to offers for the 28-year-old in the summer and hope to recoup some of the £43 million they paid Leeds United in 2022.
His departure is likely to be part of a wider revamp of City’s midfield, with questions surrounding the long-term futures of both Bernardo Silva and Kevin De Bruyne.
Paris Saint-Germain have shown interest in Silva, who has a release clause in his contract, and De Bruyne will have offers on the table from Saudi Arabia if he decides to leave the Etihad.
