Pep Guardiola unsure if Kyle Walker will play again for Man City this season

Pep Guardiola has admitted he does not know if Kyle Walker will play for Manchester City again this season.

The England right-back has missed City’s last four games with an ankle injury suffered in a bruising Champions League encounter with Atletico Madrid earlier this month.

Walker will definitely miss the Premier League leaders’ trip to Leeds on Saturday and is now also looking doubtful for the Champions League semi-final second leg at Real Madrid on Wednesday.

Asked at a press conference if he knew whether Walker would return this season, Guardiola said on Friday: “I don’t know right now.”

City are at a critical juncture in their season, with little margin for error, as they chase domestic and European glory.

With five Premier League games remaining they hold a one-point lead over Liverpool at the top of the table.

Their tie with Real is also delicately poised after Tuesday’s compelling 4-3 draw against the Spanish giants at the Etihad Stadium.

With a number of crunch fixtures ahead, Guardiola said it was important to focus on the players he knew were fit.

He said: “He’s injured – unfortunately for all of us and him especially – but I don’t pay attention. He has to work to come back as soon as possible. I am focused on the rest of the players.”

Fellow defender John Stones is also unavailable this weekend after hobbling off in the first half in midweek but could be in contention by Wednesday.

Guardiola said: “For tomorrow John is out and we will see for Wednesday.”

With the title race heading for a tight finish, Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah was named as Football Writers’ Association men’s player of the year on Friday.

The Egyptian, who has scored 30 goals for Jurgen Klopp’s quadruple-chasing Reds this season, beat