Manchester City have announced they will be without Kevin De Bruyne for their next three games as the Belgian midfielder has tested positive for Covid-19.
The 30-year-old playmaker has been away on World Cup qualifying duty with Belgium as he helped them book their place at next year’s showpiece in Qatar.
Asked for a fitness update ahead of a meeting with Toffees at the Etihad Stadium, Guardiola said:
“Jack is getting better after the international break. Phil Foden came back with a disturbing knock in his leg but he is getting better.
“Unfortunately Kevin got positive from Covid in Belgium so he will be isolated for 10 days. Jack I don’t think so. Phil, we’ll see.”
Guardiola added on De Bruyne: “Two days ago he told me he got positive. He is here (in England).
“Forget about the fitness and the momentum. Now he is positive he has to recover well and go with less symptoms as possible. The health of the human being is more important than anything else.
“So one person tests positive, be careful because still now people are dying about this pandemic situation.
“He was vaccinated so he was more protected. Hopefully he will have minor symptoms.
“The important thing is that he comes back when he is negative, he will start to train with us as soon as possible again and come back but it’s not about any concern about the rhythm or what we are going to miss. The person is more important.
“When someone tests positive we have to be careful and we have to help him and he has to be isolated at home and hopefully it will go well.”
De Bruyne is a two-time PFA Player of the Year and has been essential to Manchester City’s recent success.
