PEP GUARDIOLA has warned Jack Grealish and Phil Foden over their off-field behaviour — after axing them for the trip to Newcastle.
The Manchester City boss revealed the changes he made at St James’ Park were not simply rotation.
Both were unused subs in Sunday’s 4-0 win — despite shining during a 7-0 romp against Leeds on December 14.
According to the Telegraph, Grealish and Foden are understood to have gone out together on Tuesday night after the game.
Guardiola and the club are reported to be unhappy with the condition they were in when they took part in a recovery session on the Wednesday.
The City boss has repeatedly told his stars to be extra careful over the festive period due to the dangers of Covid.
Asked why he made changes against the Toon, boss Pep said: “It was not rotation, no. I decided on this team because they deserved to play — these guys and not the other ones.
“At Christmas I pay a lot of attention to behaviour on and off the pitch. And when off the pitch is not proper, they are not going to play.
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“We must be focused all the time because of distractions at Christmas and everything that happens. You have to still be focused.”
Guardiola did not name the England duo directly — but they were two of the three changes he made on Tyneside.
The other was centre-back John Stones who had filled in at right-back against Leeds but made way for Joao Cancelo.
There is no suggestion Stones was out with his England team-mates.
Guardiola was absent from training on Wednesday as he went to Barcelona to be with former striker Sergio Aguero as he announced his retirement.
He left his coaching staff in charge and the players who featured against Leeds were due in for a warm-down. Grealish is not believed to have taken part in that session.
Guardiola himself suffered a Covid scare on Friday when he returned an inconclusive test — before eventually getting the all-clear to return.
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