Kalvin Phillips will not have the luxury of a full pre-season after undergoing surgery on an Achilles injury.
The Manchester City midfielder, who spent last season on loan at relegated Ipswich Town, is expected to be back fit in August following the operation.
Phillips will be searching for a move away from City this summer – either on a permanent or loan basis – and doesn’t feature in Pep Guardiola’s plans.
And having surgery now offers the 29-year-old the best chance of hitting the ground running pain-free when he returns at the start of the new campaign.