Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola is optimistic Yorkshire pair Kalvin Phillips and Kyle Walker will be back on the pitch before England head to the World Cup in Qatar.

Phillips continues to make progress in his recovery from shoulder surgery in September but is running out of time to prove his fitness for the World Cup.

Man City have four games remaining before the Premier League halts for the World Cup in Qatar, giving Phillips and Walker little time to prove their fitness to England boss Gareth Southgate.

Phillips was a £42m summer signing from Leeds United but has rarely featured for Man City due to injury.

WOLVERHAMPTON, ENGLAND - JUNE 14: Kalvin Phillips of England during the UEFA Nations League League A Group 3 match between England and Hungary at Molineux on June 14, 2022 in Wolverhampton, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)

Guardiola said of the former Whites man: “He’s doing partial training sessions with the team but not contact yet. We’ll see his evolution.”

Despite that, Guardiola feels Phillips and team-mate Kyle Walker will be back on the pitch before the tournament in Qatar. Right-back Walker is sidelined with an ankle injury.

“I think it is likely,” he said.

Both players have been regular members of Southgate’s side in recent years. Phillips featured in all seven games as the Three Lions reached the final of Euro 2020 last summer while Walker – who has 50 caps under Southgate – played six times.

Kyle Walker and Kalvin Phillips fitness update provided by Man City boss ahead England's World Cup campaign in Qatar