Phil Foden Returns for Manchester City as Maresca Predicts Goals

Phil Foden is back in contention for Manchester City’s Premier League meeting with Ipswich Town after completing a three-match suspension, with Enzo Maresca confident the England international can quickly rediscover his form.

Foden available again after suspension

Foden was dismissed during City’s 1-0 league victory over Manchester United last month, a ban which interrupted his start to the season. He returned to the matchday squad on Wednesday but did not leave the bench as City suffered a 4-2 home defeat to Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League.

The academy product is still seeking his first Premier League goal for City since December. Maresca nevertheless pointed to the player’s work during his spell out of action and suggested he could make an immediate impact against Ipswich at the Etihad Stadium.

• Foden served a three-game domestic suspension after his red card against Manchester United.
• He was an unused substitute in the Champions League loss to PSG.
• City host Ipswich Town on Saturday as they aim to respond to their European defeat.
• Maresca must decide whether Foden is ready to start or should be introduced later in the match.

Maresca joked that Foden would score on Saturday, while stressing that the club had focused on his daily work. The manager said the period covering the international break and suspension had felt lengthy, but described the midfielder’s training and overall start to the campaign as encouraging.

With a demanding run of fixtures ahead, Maresca said City would assess Foden’s availability before making a final call on his selection. He added that, if involved, the 24-year-old would offer the side an important contribution.

Bouaddi earns manager’s admiration

Maresca also singled out Ayyoub Bouaddi after the 18-year-old Moroccan midfielder impressed from the bench in the second half against PSG.

The City manager described Bouaddi as an outstanding player, particularly because of his ability to raise the level of team-mates around him. In Maresca’s view, that is a quality usually associated with elite footballers: players whose presence helps those alongside them perform better.

Bouaddi’s display against PSG has strengthened his case for further first-team involvement, giving Maresca another midfield option as City return to league action.

City seek swift league response

Saturday’s fixture offers City an opportunity to put the Paris Saint-Germain result behind them while protecting their strong position at the top of the Premier League.

Foden’s return gives Maresca a selection decision in attack, while Bouaddi’s emergence adds another potential option in midfield. City will look for a more positive result at the Etihad after conceding four times in Europe, with Ipswich arriving for a significant domestic test.