Kalvin Phillips is facing World Cup heartache after a recurrence of a nagging shoulder injury.
The Manchester City midfielder is sweating on the prognosis as the clock ticks down towards the tournament in Qatar in seven weeks' time. Phillips, 26, has been dogged by problems ever since agreeing to move to the Premier League champions from boyhood club Leeds United during the summer in a £45million deal.
He has played just 13 minutes for Pep Guardiola’s side and matters have come to a head. Medics have told the City boss that Phillips might need to undergo surgery to correct the problem, meaning he will be withdrawn from Gareth Southgate’s squad for England's Nations League double-header against Italy and Germany.