The latest international break has proven disastrous for many clubs, with teams losing players left, right, and center to injuries. Man City are one of those sides, witnessing Raheem Sterling develop a leg issue while on national duty.
However, it is not all bad news for the Citizens as the Englishman's knock appears to be nothing serious, according to the Daily Mail. The 25-year-old was suffering a muscle twinge in his leg but was hopeful of featuring in the Three Lions' crucial UEFA Nations League showdown with Belgium. However, after a failed attempt to train on Saturday, it became evident that the former Liverpool man would play no part in the clash with the Red Devils.
Sterling was forced to pull out of the squad and could only watch as his country lost 2-0 to Roberto Martinez's side. Furthermore, Southgate looks to be without the attacker's services for the six and final group-stage game of the UEFA Nations League season – a clash with Iceland.
This left Man City fans in worry as their first game back from the international break will see them lock horns with Tottenham in a highly-anticipated top-six battle. However, as mentioned above, the injury is nothing serious and Sterling is thus expected to be available for Saturday's showdown with Mourinho's in-form side.
Nothing is certain, meaning there is a chance of Raheem missing out on the trip to north London. Regardless, Guardiola can expected his talented winger back in no time. Despite the severity of Sterling's injury, or lack thereof, this will not stop Pep's campaign to reintroduce the five substitution rule in the Premier League.
The Spaniard has been one of the most vocal oppositions against the return to three subs per game, arguing that in every other major European league, five changes are permitted in order to protect the welfare of the footballers. Klopp, another supporter of the five-sub rule, has recently lost all four of his back four (Van Dijk, Gomez, Alexander-Arnold, and Robertson) to injuries and will likely have a lot to say in the coming days about this matter.
