Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola warns Benjamin Mendy over late physio session after Anthony Joshua fight

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James Robson @jamesrobsonES28 September 2018

Benjamin Mendy was rebuked by Pep Guardiola after turning up late the morning after attending Anthony Joshua’s world title fight with Alexander Povetkin.

Manchester City boss Guardiola confirmed he had to speak to the Frenchman, who was late for treatment on his bruised metatarsal on Sunday.

Mendy has been sidelined since last month with the injury, but it didn’t stop him travelling to London to watch Joshua in action at Wembley last weekend.

Guardiola reminded him of his responsibilities, revealing: “I spoke with him. He should be here and he knows it.

“He arrived late, that happens sometimes, in the last period a lot have arrived late because of the traffic.”

Guardiola is a strict disciplinarian, and takes the punctuality of his players particularly seriously.

The Catalan has been determined to impress upon his squad the importance of maintaining their intensity after last season’s record Premier League title triumph.

Mendy, who posted a picture of himself with Joshua’s belts on social media, was always going to risk the wrath of his manager by then showing up late the following day.

City’s medical department are still unsure of when the left-back will be ready to return to action after injuring himself in training at the start of the month.

After missing the majority of last season with knee ligament damage, club doctors are ready to let the player take the lead regarding his return date.

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“I expect him back when he’s fit,” said Guardiola. “Now he’s injured, he’s not a physical problem, he’s injured and when he’s OK he’s coming back and when he decides to play he’s going to play.”

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