Fuming Pep Guardiola ignites Man City vs England row with blunt Jack Grealish verdict

Pep Guardiola threw Manchester City into a row with the Football Association by brutally unpicking interim England coach Lee Carsley's claims about Jack Grealish.

The forward has been missing for City for three weeks so his inclusion in Carsley's final Three Lions squad selection for next week's Nations League fixtures with Greece and the Republic of Ireland was a surprise. Carsley said Grealish had trained for two days this week, and vowed to assess his condition on arrival with the squad.

Carsley added that England had spoken to clubs about players they had called up but an angry Guardiola disputed the claim and also said Grealish had not trained outside prior to Carsley's now-controversial comments.

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Guardiola was clearly unhappy at the situation, repeating more than once that the selection decision was 'a question for the manager of the UK [England]'. Pressed on Grealish's condition, he said: No [Carsley didn't talk to him]. It is his decision. For the last 17 days, [Grealish] didn't train once. Today the first training and trained 20 minutes. This is the reality."

Guardiola later clarified that Grealish had trained for two days in the gym as he steps up his recovery but wouldn't commit to saying that his winger would be able to play any part in England's two fixtures. He did say that Grealish had asked to link up with England.

"I’m always pleased for players to go – when they are fit," Guardiola said. "And when they haven’t struggled for the last one, two, three, four weeks. I’m more than satisfied for them to play."

Guardiola's tone was the opposite to his statements that he was pleased for Grealish to be called up. He clearly disagreed with Carsley's comments in the media on Thursday and made it plain that he thought Grealish is not close to fitness for either club or country.

"He was in the gym for a few minutes over the last two days. It’s a question for the manager from the UK – I’m not involved," he continued. "They can select who they want. All I’d say is the day after Wolves, he was injured, 17 days out and today [Friday] was the first training with the team.

"He’s had two or three setbacks – in terms of injuries – and could not get his rhythm. He has to be fit to play. Not only Jack – there are many players this happens to – this is the reality.

"They can select who they want. Jack trained today and believes he can help us – I’m not the guy to say you cannot go. But for my team tomorrow [vs Brighton] he’s not fit – he cannot play. All I can say is that for a couple of days over two weeks he didn’t train but the people from England believe he can help. So go."

Guardiola also confirmed that Nathan Ake is 'getting better' after he was left out of the Netherlands squad having remained on the bench against Sporting. His verdict on the defender was inconclusive regarding his involvement against Brighton but he had said the same players who were in the squad in Portugal this week would travel to the Amex.

"He's getting better. Not fully fit, but getting better," Guardiola said of Ake.