Kyle Walker is a serious doubt for Man City’s clash with Arsenal on Sunday after injuring his hamstring playing for England against Brazil… as Pep Guardiola counts the cost of the international break

• Kyle Walker was forced off with a hamstring injury against Brazil on Saturday
• Man City’s list of absentees is piling up after a rough international break  
• Ian Ladyman: Why I’m glad England lost against Brazil – Listen to the It’s All Kicking Off podcast 

Kyle Walker is a serious doubt for Manchester City’s title clash with Arsenal as the Premier League champions count the cost of the international break.

The City captain was forced off with a hamstring problem during the 1-0 friendly defeat against Brazil at Wembley – before John Stones hobbled out of the draw with Belgium after sustaining an ankle injury.

Both are set for scans on their fitness issues when City’s stars return to training today and Pep Guardiola finds out how many of his squad are struggling ahead of Arsenal.

City are monitoring Ederson’s progress on a thigh injury, while Kevin De Bruyne and Jack Grealish have both been undergoing work at the training ground after remaining back over the internationals.

Manuel Akanji and Matheus Nunes also picked up problems while away with Switzerland and Portugal respectively.

While Guardiola will hope some do make it for Arsenal, the uncertainty is less than ideal ahead of Sunday’s game, when City can overtake the Gunners in the tense three-way battle for this year’s crown.

Mikel Arteta is hopeful that both Bukayo Saka and Gabriel will prove their fitness before Arsenal make the trip up to the Etihad Stadium.

Gareth Southgate has been dealt a big blow with goalkeeper Sam Johnstone to miss Euro 2024 after elbow surgery yesterday.

The Crystal Palace shot-stopper becomes England’s first injury casualty ahead of the tournament. His impressive displays for Palace this season had propelled him towards being a virtual certainty to make Southgate’s final squad for Germany this summer as Jordan Pickford’s understudy.

But the 31-year-old will miss the rest of the season after suffering an elbow injury whilst saving a shot in England training on Sunday ahead of the game against Belgium, a game he was expected to start. The 31-year-old sustained the problem when saving a shot.

Johnstone, who is said to be devastated at the unfortunate turn of events, is expected to be out of action for between three to four months.