England midfielder Jude Bellingham was ruled out of Real Madrid’s LaLiga clash against Valencia with a shoulder injury.

The in-form 20-year-old, who has scored 13 goals in 14 Real appearances since his £88.5million summer switch from Borussia Dortmund, suffered a dislocated shoulder during last Sunday’s 0-0 draw with Rayo Vallecano.

Bellingham was this week included in Gareth Southgate’s England squad for the upcoming Euro 2024 qualifiers against Malta and North Macedonia.

A Real Madrid statement issued on Saturday said: “After the tests carried out today on our player Jude Bellingham, he has been diagnosed with anterior instability of his left shoulder, a consequence of his recent dislocation.

“Bellingham is out for today’s match against Valencia.”

Bellingham was named among the substitutes for Wednesday night’s 3-0 Champions League win over Portuguese side Braga, but manager Carlo Ancelotti did not use him as his side cruised to victory.

Wolves’ stunning late show rocked Tottenham and denied Spurs the chance to return to the top of the Premier League.

Pablo Sarabia and Mario Lemina scored in stoppage time to snatch a thrilling – but deserved – 2-1 victory.

Brennan Johnson’s early strike – his first Spurs goal – had given the visitors the lead and they looked on course for a smash-and-grab win at Molineux.

Tottenham rode their luck as Wolves constantly let them off the hook until Sarabia and Lemina sparked a sensational finish.

They were heading two points clear at the top of the table but have now suffered successive defeats.

Wolves, meanwhile, hit back from their controversial 2-1 loss at Sheffield United to underline the clear progress they are making under Gary O’Neil.

Spurs suffered their first wobble under Ange Postecoglou in their 4-1 defeat to Chelsea having also lost James Maddison and Micky van de Ven until January with injuries.

Suspensions to Cristian Romero and Destiny Udogie compounded their issues before arriving at Molineux yet they initially showed no scars from Monday’s chaos and took the lead after just three minutes.

It was poor from Wolves, Rayan Ait-Nouri and Joao Gomes were hoodwinked by Dejan Kulusevski’s cute drag and flick which allowed Pedro Porro to cross low for Johnson.

He had run on the blindside of Nelson Semedo and, with the defender caught out, tapped in from close range. It was the Wales international’s first goal since April – which also came against Wolves.

Far from being shellshocked, the hosts responded well and Ben Davies blocked a shot from the rampaging Ait-Nouri as Wolves’ tenacity left Spurs flustered.

Tottenham were needlessly tentative at the back, perhaps from Monday’s carnage, but continued to survive with Wolves’ final ball consistently failing them.

They still needed Guglielmo Vicario to save well from Lemina before the midfielder had a header deflect over and the goalkeeper also gathered Toti Gomes’ effort in stoppage time.

Wolves emerged after the break in the same combative fashion and Jean-Ricner Bellegarde ballooned over with Matheus Cunha also curling wide.

The hosts were getting closer and should have levelled after 54 minutes when Hwang Hee-Chan missed a golden chance.

A poor corner eventually fell to Gomes and his shot deflected into the path of Hwang but, with just Vicario to beat, the seven-goal forward scuffed wide.

Without star man Pedro Neto Wolves lacked a killer touch, similar to Tottenham – missing main schemer Maddison – who had created nothing since their early opener.

The hosts’ dominance had nullified Spurs but they were still behind and their desperation for a leveller began to leave spaces, with Johnson curling wide after a rare break.

Wolves looked to be running out of ideas with time ticking by, although Sasa Kalajdzic wastefully headed over, and Giovani Lo Celso almost snatched an undeserved second with two minutes left but Jose Sa turned his effort over.

Little suggested the drama to come but Wolves then turned the game on its head in stoppage time.

O’Neil’s side finally got the leveller they deserved when substitute Sarabia, on the pitch for just two minutes, collected Cunha’s clipped ball and smashed past Vicario.

Then, in the seventh minute of stoppage time, Sarabia was sent scampering after a quick free-kick and he found Lemina to turn in and send Molineux wild.

Ephron Mason-Clark and Kwame Poku led Peterborough on a local-derby destruction as they beat Cambridge 5-0.

Darren Ferguson’s men stung the visitors with a three-goal blitz in the space of six minutes to set themselves on the way to a biggest-ever success against their county rivals.

Mason-Clark provided the 34th-minute opener with a diving header after a sumptuous cross from the right by Poku and the celebrations had barely died down when Mason-Clark struck again with a 37th-minute tap in after Ricky-Jade Jones fired the ball across the face of goal.

And Posh still were not done there as Poku darted inside from the right and unleashed a 20-yard strike which took a wicked deflected off defender Michael Morrison and flew over the stranded Jack Stevens after 40 minutes.

Things got even worse for Cambridge in the second period when Joel Randall’s pass allowed Poku to strike again in the 54th minute after an Archie Collins-led counter-attack stemming from the visitors’ own corner.

And Posh completed a famous five when Randall’s 86th-minute cross following a short-corner was headed into his own net by Cambridge full-back Liam Bennett.

Xavi has insisted Barcelona are not in crisis as they look to get their campaign back on track against Alaves.

Pressure has mounted on the Barca boss after an El Clasico defeat was followed by an unconvincing win over Real Sociedad and a midweek Champions League loss to Shakhtar Donetsk.

Reports in the Catalan media claimed the squad had a players-only meeting on Wednesday night to discuss their issues.

But Xavi, whose side trail LaLiga leaders Girona by four points and still top their Champions League group, believes he faced bigger problems last season when he also came in for criticism before leading the club to the Spanish title.

“I had the worst moment as a coach last year,” he said at his pre-match press conference on Saturday.

“What is happening now is not a crisis or anything like that.

“I have experienced terrible crises here and this is not it.

“You almost get used to criticism. This is Barca and you have to accept criticism.

“We have had two bad games and you have to be honest. We haven’t been up to par.”

Xavi is confident the players remain united and believes he has diagnosed the problem.

He said: “We’ve detected the issue. We have to get back to positional play and be more meticulous than ever. That’s how we’ll get better.

“The players are ready. They’re mentally prepared. This is a fantastic group.

“I’ve been in a lot of dressing rooms and this is one of the healthiest and most united I’ve ever seen. We are highly motivated.”

Xavi will again be without the injured Frenkie de Jong on Sunday, while his fellow midfielder Gavi serves a one-match ban after picking up five yellow cards.

But Pedri is “100 per cent”, according to Xavi, and could make his first start since August after coming through two substitute appearances against Real Sociedad and Shakhtar.

Key to Barca’s hopes of hitting form could be getting Robert Lewandowski back among the goals.

The Poland striker is in the middle of his worst goal drought in over a decade having not scored in his last six matches.

Xavi said: “He is in 100 per cent condition. He’s affected by the lack of positional play.

“We haven’t attacked well and we didn’t look after Robert like how we used to do.”

Alaves sit 14th in LaLiga and their only away win this season came against seventh-tier opponents Deportiva Murcia in the Copa del Rey.

Roberto De Zerbi says Brighton are fighting hard to keep their hopes of domestic and European success alive.

The Seagulls squad is being tested to the limit but is so far holding up well, with their victory away to Ajax on Thursday putting them second in their Europa League group.

They are seventh in the Premier League heading into Sunday’s home match against Sheffield United at the Amex Stadium, and De Zerbi knows his players and staff will have to dig deep.

“We are fighting, we are second in our Europa League group and seventh in the Premier League,” he said in quotes published on the club’s X account.

“We lost three important players in the summer and we’re playing three games a week. It’s a tough season, but we are fighting.

“When you aren’t used to the Europa League, you need to focus on the next game. We have to win in the Premier League.

“Clean sheets are an important part of football, but we have to analyse better because we couldn’t keep a clean sheet a lot of times this season.”

The only clean sheets Brighton have managed have been against Ajax home and away. The 20 goals they have conceded in the Premier League so far is the highest number for any team inside the top 10.

Brighton are set to be without defenders Pervis Estupinan and Lewis Dunk, plus midfielder James Milner, against the Blades on Sunday.

Ecuador international Estupinan made his return from a muscle injury that had sidelined him since September 30 as a substitute in Thursday’s Europa League win away to Ajax, but only lasted 12 minutes before being forced off again.

Dunk came off at half-time in Amsterdam with a possible groin injury, while veteran Milner came off in the eighth minute.

“The injuries are a terrible situation, but we can’t change anything,” De Zerbi said.

“We have to focus on the game on Sunday, it’s one of the most important this season.”

Spurs boss Robert Vilahamn is hopeful his side can take the positives from their draw against Everton when they face Liverpool on Sunday.

Tottenham were left to rue missed chances as Aurora Galli scored from the spot to share the spoils, denying Spurs the chance to move second in the Women’s Super League, but Vilahamn hopes his side can learn from the draw.

He said: “I still think we gave away goals or set-pieces where they scored so (it is about) learning how we are going to defend in the box and at the end of the game for example, how we might need to go even harder to win the game with more goals.

“We still should be able to win 1-0 of course, but the teams are good and they have good players.

“Still, we created a lot of good chances, we dictated the game and Everton were a good team. We still see some good stuff in the game, so the result was not the best but the performance was quite good.”

Liverpool returned to winning ways in the league when Marie Hobinger’s late winner handed them victory against Leicester and manager Matt Beard expressed his pleasure at his side’s start to the season.

He said: “We’ve still got relationships that are being built on the pitch, playing more games gives everyone the opportunity to build those relationships in a game situation.

“We’re pleased with how we’ve started the season and how players have settled and progressed, so there’s plenty of positives and the great thing is I know there’s a lot more to come from the team.”

Both sides go into Sunday’s clash tied on 10 points, with Spurs one place above Liverpool, and Beard praised the competitiveness of the league so far this season.

He added: “It shows the progress of the league and the progress of each team. It’s important for the league that it’s competitive, it’s great to see and long may it continue for us!”

Livingston manager David Martindale is hoping his struggling Livingston team can rise to the occasion and find a way of halting a Rangers side he feels are “in a good place” under new boss Philippe Clement.

The Ibrox team head to the Tony Macaroni Arena on Sunday in buoyant mood after winning five and drawing one of their six matches since the Belgian replaced Michael Beale last month.

“They’re unbeaten so that tells you everything you need to know,” said Martindale when asked what he has made of Rangers under Clement.

“He’s gone in and got a good start so that then breeds a bit of momentum, which breeds self-confidence and self-esteem in the players, so ultimately you’re probably getting better performances from the players.

“I think he’s done a very good job and they’re in a good place as a club.”

While Rangers have enjoyed a resurgence since their managerial change, Livingston have lost their last four matches to slip towards the foot of the cinch Premiership. Martindale hopes the big-game “buzz” can help them get back on track this weekend.

“You’re at home and you’ve got the opportunity to go and pick up three points against one of the biggest clubs in the league,” said the Lions boss.

“When either of the Old Firm come along to the Tony Mac, there’s always a buzz and then when you bring in Sky (TV) there’s an extra buzz about the game.

“It kind of lifts the atmosphere throughout the training week and you probably find the players are a wee bit more at it and there are not as many players in the physio’s room in the lead-up to the game.

“It brings a different kind of matchday atmosphere.”

Jurgen Klopp admits Liverpool are still not the finished article after a week of setbacks provided a dose of reality.

After snatching a late draw against newcomers Luton last weekend, a much-changed side slipped to their first Europa League defeat at Toulouse in midweek.

Liverpool have failed to win only five of 17 matches this season and they have have a 100 per cent record in eight at Anfield in all competitions but Klopp knows they have to avoid unnecessary hiccups like those of the last few days.

“Things are going in the right direction but we are not there yet. We are not as stable as I wish but that’s normal as well,” he said.

“Generally we are in a positive situation and it is important to learn to deal with that. There has been a lot of praise.

“It really feels like this (Toulouse) and Luton is a real learning curve. I wish it would not be necessary, to be honest. I wish we would learn it quickly.

“We can be a really good team. We have shown that. We cannot have what happened (in Toulouse): we were not aggressive enough. It was as easy as that.

“We can lose a game but we have to use it to learn the right things. To win a football game, you need to be aggressive.”

Liverpool’s all-new midfield has impressed having only been assembled in pre-season but the pressure on the likes of Dominik Szoboszlai, Alexis Mac Allister and Ryan Gravenberch has been increased recently.

Thiago Alcantara and Stefan Bajcetic were already long-term absentees but with the unfortunate Curtis Jones out until after the international break, Gravenberch’s availability against Brentford in the balance due to a knee injury and Mac Allister suspended on Sunday, resources are looking thin.

That is without taking into account first-choice left-back Andy Robertson’s absence until the new year after shoulder surgery.

When the Premier League campaign resumes after the international break Liverpool have 11 matches in 38 days – starting at Manchester City and including two European ties which would have been rendered dead rubbers had the team won in southern France.

“Now it’s just important we get through this period until the international break and then after with as (few) injuries as possible because the games are coming thick and fast,” added Klopp.

“It’s crazy how many we have to play and we need them all (the squad). You will see them all.”

Liverpool have had their difficulties against Brentford before, notably in a 3-1 defeat away from home in January, and even with striker Ivan Toney serving a long-term suspension Klopp is wary of the threat they pose.

“Sometimes I remember bad things but in this specific case not really. Pretty sure it was not good,” said the Reds boss regarding that game.

“Super-challenging to play Thomas Frank and Brentford for different reasons. I’m not sure they are 100 per cent happy with the season but losing Ivan Toney and the player he was for them is really brutal.

“But they are mid-table, which is probably what Brentford wants getting through this situation and when he is coming back, using him again.

“They are well-organised, sensational at set-pieces and have really offensive players and really fast counter-attacking.

“It is always interesting and difficult as well. But it is Anfield and we should use that.”

Pep Guardiola expects Chelsea to be back challenging for the title in the near future.

Chelsea last won the Premier League during Guardiola’s first season at Manchester City in 2016-17.

Since then it is City who have dominated the competition, taking the crown in five of the past six campaigns.

Chelsea did edge out City in the 2021 Champions League final but there has been plenty of turbulence at the London club since, and they currently sit 10th in the table.

Guardiola, who takes his side to Stamford Bridge on Sunday, said: “Chelsea remain one of the more important teams in England.

“It’s true that in the Premier League they were not close to winning it in these last seasons but they’re still one of the strongest teams, there’s no doubts about that.

“I see that in the last games they are alive, they have good spirit, they are aggressive, they have a good pattern. The quality is there.

“It’s one of the toughest games that we have during the season. Sooner or later Chelsea will be there fighting for the titles, and I guess sooner than later.”

Chelsea have had a rocky start to the campaign under new manager Mauricio Pochettino but Guardiola has no doubt they will come on strong.

He said: “It’s normal. They are getting better. Every manager needs his time – it’s a new club, new players but they’ll be a top contender because the quality in all departments is there.”

Two of Chelsea’s better performers this season have been the former City pair of Cole Palmer and Raheem Sterling.

City academy product Palmer, 21, switched clubs in August having grown frustrated at a lack of opportunities at the Etihad Stadium.

Guardiola said: “The reason why was that he wanted game time. Now he has it, so congratulations.

“He’s a guy who came from the academy and if he is having success it’s good for him and we wish him the best. I’m really pleased for him.”

Sterling won four Premier League titles and the FA Cup at City and Guardiola recognises him as a dangerman this weekend.

Guardiola said: “He’s playing really good, he’s back in his best moments, best performance, (from) what I’ve seen lately.

“He always creates incredible dangers for the opponents.”

Emma Hayes said she was making “a selfless decision” in choosing to put her five-year-old son first as she prepares to step down as Chelsea manager at the end of the season.

Hayes takes her side to face Everton at Walton Hall Park on Sunday in what will be her first game since announcing last week that she is to leave the club with whom she has won six Women’s Super League titles.

Reports have linked her with the vacant United States national team job, whilst a club statement on Saturday said that she would be pursuing a role “outside of the WSL and club football”.

However, she insisted that family had been the only consideration and would not be drawn on her next career step.

“I’ve taken this team to the top and I always said I wanted to leave at the top, and I maintain that,” said Hayes.

“My little boy has been extraordinary to allow me to do (this job), but it’s important for him.

“There’s still a lot of work that needs to be done in the women’s game for people with children. I shouldn’t just limit that – it’s people with children. We have lives and I have to think about others.

“This is not a selfish decision, it’s a selfless decision. It’s about putting first other things in my life and I’m ready for that.”

Everton boss Brian Sorensen defended his side’s recent performances despite having won just once in seven games this season, a run which has featured 5-0 and 7-0 defeats to Manchester United.

“No I’m not (feeling the pressure),” he said. “Performances have been better than the one win so we have to look at that.

“The two big losses against United is not something that we want. But it’s done, it’s history. There’s nothing we can do about it.”

Mona High continued their charge towards a maiden ISSA/Digicel Manning Cup title, as they secured a spot in the semi-final, following a 2-0 win over pre-season favourites St Andrew Technical High School (STATHS) in their decisive Group One quarterfinals fixture at the Anthony Spaulding Sports Complex on Friday.

First half goals from Robino Gordon (7^th) and Denzel McKenzie (21^st), proved enough to send the Craig Butler-coached Mona into another semi-final for a second year consecutively, as well as into the All-island Champions Cup.

For Phillip Williams and his STATHS outfit, it was the worst time to produce a flat performance, and they miss out on the semi-final for the first time in six years, as a result.

Elsewhere in the, St Catherine High edged Kingston College 2-1 at the Spanish Town Prison Oval, but just missed out on a spot in the final four by virtue of a slightly inferior goal difference.

The results saw Mona finishing at the summit on five points, with Kingston College second on four points, same as St Catherine, while STATHS ended at foot on three points.

Butler beamed about Mona’s achievement as they enter the decisive end of the season with their unbeaten record intact.

“I am very proud of my team and very proud of my coaching staff. The players played hard, they stuck to the task, we took “Whispers” [Dujuan Richards] advice and it worked out. He [Richards] came out and helped us a lot especially with the changes and the tactics and the boys were disciplined,” Butler said.

Mona High started more purposeful and broke the deadlock in the seventh minute when McKenzie’s freekick was deftly flicked on by Gordon at the near post for his 14^th of the season.

With STATHS looking flat and disjointed, particularly in the midfield, Mona were able to maintain their intensity and they used it to good effect to apply consistent pressure.

The lead was doubled when Romarion Thomas rounded the well-advanced Jaheem Williams, in goal for STATHS, and played a pass off to McKenzie, who calmly slotted into an empty net for his 10^th of the season.

Mona should have added another on the stroke of half-time when McKenzie was felled inside the danger area by JLoyd Smith. McKenzie sporting the number 10 jersey picked up himself to take the 12-yard kick, but Williams guessed right, diving to his weaker left side, to keep out the effort.

The second half offered very little to write home about, though STATHS gradually improved in terms of their attacking thrust. They created a few half chances in an attempt to claw their way back into the contest, but were unable to make it count, even after Mona Carlton Brown to a second yellow card.

For Williams, it’s about picking up the pieces of another failed Manning Cup campaign to break a lengthy title drought dating back to 1987, with the focus now on possibly winning the consolation Walker Cup knockout title.

“The goals came off two mistakes but definitely Mona was the better team, and we have to give credit to them for putting in a full 90 minutes and keep us off the scoring sheet. It was very concerning, we did create chances but we didn’t put them away and so it is just about taking a break for a while and just recoup to come again next year,” he shared.

Friday’s results

Mona 2, STATHS 0

St Catherine 2, Kingston College 1

Saturday’s fixtures

3:00pm: Jamaica College vs St George’s College @Ashenheim Stadium

3:00pm: Hydel High vs Tivoli High @ Prison Oval

Emma Hayes said the “time is right” for her to step down as Chelsea manager after it was confirmed last week she will leave the Women’s Super League champions at the end of the season.

However, she would not be drawn on reports linking her with the vacant United States national team job, and said the decision to depart is motivated by a desire to spend more time with her five-year-old son, Harry.

The club have dominated the WSL since Hayes was appointed in 2012, winning six of the last eight titles.

She confirmed that she is likely to play a role in helping to choose her successor as Chelsea go about their first manager search in more than a decade.

“I’ve been in post for 12 years and I’ve dedicated my life to this place,” she said. “I drive four hours every day, six days a week for 12 years. I have a five-year-old that needs more of his mummy. Family matters.

“I think I’ve dedicated as much as I possibly can to this football club. I’ve loved every minute of it. I think it’s really important if possible to create a succession plan for me, much like (general manager) Paul (Green) and I do with the players.

“The time is right. I will work with the club in the succession plan and do everything I can to make sure there is as good at transition as possible so that my successor can have the same level of success I had.”

There have been reports that the club failed to prioritise tying Hayes to a new deal in recent months, but she would not comment on suggestions she no longer felt she had the backing of the hierarchy.

“It’s fair to say I believe in private conversations,” said Hayes. “I’m disappointed to hear things being said in the press. I want to make sure I maintain my own professionalism. I have a team to focus on. I’ve got games to win. I don’t think anything will come between me and the players, or me and the fans.

“I understand Chelsea, I know Chelsea. This is my club, it will always be my club. And whilst I am sad on many, many levels – I’ve always said to the fans there will come that moment when I’m sat with them in the crowd.

“What we have created in this building is magical. It’s something every player appreciates being a part of. As far as I’m concerned, the people I’ve worked with in that period have made me feel the best coach I can feel – that’s not always easy.

“I leave at the end the season knowing I’ve given everything and done everything.”

The statement issued by the club announcing her departure referred to her having chosen to pursue “a new opportunity outside of the WSL and club football.”

Some have taken this to mean a move into international management is inevitable, but she would not be drawn on what the next step in her career might be.

“I’m not going to comment on that,” said Hayes. “I’m contracted to Chelsea until then of the season. That’s where my commitment lies right now.

“As a little girl I always thought one day (a national team job) would come. For most of us, we don’t necessarily always fulfil every dream that we have. I would say it might always be an ambition of mine to do that.

“I think I’m just at the point where I have to consider something else, and that’s the position I’m in right now. I don’t contemplate anything more. Taking these decisions doesn’t come easy.”

Though his return to Trinidad and Tobago’s squad will be for a tough Concacaf Nations League quarterfinals encounter against United States, Malcolm Shaw is undaunted by the assignment.

In fact, the Canada-based striker says he is ready to put his best foot forward to ensure the Soca Warriors are competitive in the two-leg tie scheduled for November 16 in Austin, Texas, and November 20 at the Hasely Crawford Stadium in Mucurapo.

Shaw, 28, who made his debut for the twin island republic at the Concacaf Gold Cup, returns to competitive after missing the last two League A group games against Guatemala and Curacao due to an injury.

“It was unfortunate for me to miss out in the last two matches due to injury. I feel good, I'm glad to be back with the team to help contribute and fight in these two massive games against a big team,” Shaw told Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA) media.

“This is going to be a massive challenge. The US are decorated with players who are in top leagues overseas. But football is won on the day, and we're going to come and fight,” he added.

Shaw, who featured in the Soca Warriors humiliating 0-6 loss to the United States, which knocked them out of the group stage at the Gold Cup, says the Warriors are up to the task ahead, especially with a spot in next year's Copa America tournament on the line.

He pointed out that the team's self-introspection is well underway, as he reflected on how the team bounced back from the Gold Cup disappointment.

They firs secured wins over Curacao and El Salvador in their opening Nations League A group matches. Shaw accounted for his first international goal for Trinidad and Tobago away to El Salvador with a well-taken penalty.

Despite the fact that Shaw missed the next two matches, the Angus Eve-coached Soca Warriors secured a spot in the Nations League A quarterfinals after a gritty come-from-behind 3-2 win over Guatemala, followed by a surprise 5-3 loss away to Curacao.

The Atletico Ottawa player is now back in the mix and will be aiming to prove his fitness to make Eve’s final squad which is expected to be announced on Sunday.

"We have to do a lot of film study to evaluate where we went wrong (in the Gold Cup game versus the US). Obviously, we don't want those breakdowns happening in the next two games. Again, I think that's what we will be doing for the next week or so with preparations,” Shaw noted.

Manchester City defender John Stones will miss the champions’ Premier League trip to Chelsea on Sunday, manager Pep Guardiola has confirmed.

The England international was forced off at half-time of Tuesday’s Champions League win over Young Boys with a muscular problem.

Guardiola has revealed the injury is not as bad as feared but there is no prospect of him travelling to Stamford Bridge. It is also not clear whether Stones will be available for England this month or the November 25 clash with Liverpool.

Guardiola said at a press conference: “He is injured. He is not ready (for Sunday) and we will see when we come back from the international break.

“The doctor said to me it’s not as bad (as first thought) but I still don’t know when he’s going to be fit.”

Guardiola also delivered a positive update on Kevin De Bruyne, who could return before the end of the year, but he will not rush the Belgium playmaker back into action.

De Bruyne has been sidelined since undergoing surgery on a hamstring injury in August.

Guardiola said: “I spoke to him two days ago and he said, ‘I feel really good’ but still he is not training with us and not running much.

“I don’t know but it is the last time (period) before he comes back to train with us.

“I would like to say in two weeks or three weeks, but these type of injuries are better not to put any pressure on. When he feels good, the doctors and physios say go to the next step, then he is coming. Like John Stones, recover without pressure.

“Kevin’s was a tough injury with surgery, so step by step.”

City head to Chelsea fresh from securing their place in the Champions League knockout stages for an 11th successive year.

The holders have hardly been troubled as they have cruised through with two games to spare – an achievement that, compared to last year’s treble success, seems relatively modest.

Guardiola, however, insists it is something that should be savoured because – as this week’s opponents Chelsea, the 2021 European champions, have discovered – the good times will not last indefinitely.

He said: “I can’t make any comment about Chelsea because I’m not there but always we remind ourselves. Last Tuesday we qualified and I told the players to celebrate because, maybe one day, if we stop doing what we do or the opponents are better than us, we will not be there.

“What we have done is the past. If we are not doing well we will go down, and the down may never end. You can go down more.

“So, take perspective, be calm and (enjoy) good moments. For every team around the world, not just the fact that we are Man City and the last years have been good, (it does not mean) it will happen in the future.

“If you are aware of that, you are closer to still being consistent in Europe for many years.”

Mauricio Pochettino said Chelsea’s victory at Tottenham on Monday proved he has matured as a manager in the years since his first spell in England.

A frenetic 4-1 win in north London came amid two red cards for the hosts as emotions threatened to spill over in a manner reminiscent of the so-called ‘Battle of Stamford Bridge’, when Pochettino’s Spurs lost their discipline and a two-goal lead to concede the 2015-16 Premier League title.

After that game, which confirmed Leicester as champions, Pochettino was criticised for allowing his players to lose control of the match and let slip the chance of claiming a first league title since 1961.

Yet on Monday it was his former side whose discipline failed them, with Spurs losing Cristian Romero and Destiny Udogie either side of half-time before Chelsea capitalised with a late hat-trick from striker Nicolas Jackson to seal a third straight away win in the league.

Pochettino has previously said he believes he is calmer now than when he was appointed at Southampton in 2013, and that composure was evident amongst his players as they kept their heads on a wild night at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

“I learned a lot from the ‘Battle of the Bridge’ seven years ago,” he said ahead of his side’s home meeting with Manchester City on Sunday.

“I got criticised a lot after this game. Too many people said it was may fault because I didn’t give or teach the players how to behave and to control emotion in a game like this. I learned a lot.

“What I can say is the type of game (on Monday) is about tactics, it’s about form, it’s about the approach of the game and how you prepare. Also, it’s about how you control emotions.

“One thing we can say my players managed really well is the control of emotions. We played 10-12 minutes not in a good way, not how we wanted. When we conceded the goal it was a big hit for us, we were in shock.

“After this moment we started to control the game. At 11 v 11 we created chances, had a goal disallowed. Then we forced them to make mistakes. We played 120 minutes. I think we deserved to win. It was crazy but fair.”

The game was notable for its total of 21 added minutes after there were nine VAR checks, which led to both red cards being shown as well as a penalty for Chelsea and five disallowed goals.

Pochettino defended the role of the video referee and said that Spurs could have no complaints about the result.

“Tell me one (VAR) decision that was not fair,” he said. “There was even I think a few decisions more when Tottenham were lucky. You cannot say VAR was (unfair) for us. When you watch the game again, Tottenham were very lucky to finish with only two less than us.

“When there is emotion on the pitch, it’s difficult to control from the outside (as a coach). I was guilty seven years ago. But Ange (Postecoglou) wasn’t guilty (on Monday).

“I learned. I watched the game again. It’s important to see how the players keep calm in a tough moment and to force (Tottenham) to make a mistake, then to win the game. That was the option.”

Chelsea will be looking for their fourth win in six games in the league when they face Pep Guardiola’s champions on Sunday.

Pochettino added: “Chelsea are never underdogs. The feeling is always that you are Chelsea. When you say Chelsea, it’s impossible (to feel the underdog). The history is there. We cannot go and say we are the victim of the day. We need to try to be protagonists with our personality, with our character.

“We went to Tottenham and finished the game 4-1. It shows that we have character and talent to compete and to fight with the best clubs in England. Now it’s about building that confidence that for sure will help us to be more competitive.”