The Spanish midfielder missed City’s victory at Burnley on Wednesday after being forced off late in the previous game against Arsenal with a groin problem.

With City chasing the Premier League title, manager Pep Guardiola is unwilling to take a chance on the 2024 Ballon d’Or winner at Wembley.

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The issue is the latest in a series of setbacks to have beset the 29-year-old since he suffered a serious knee injury early last season and the focus is on proving his fitness for the trip to Everton on May 4.

Guardiola said: “We don’t want to take a risk. I don’t know yet (for Everton) – hopefully, but we don’t want to take a risk because we could lose him for the next five games.”