Ilkay Gundogan Is Positive For COVID-19, Will Be Absent In 3 City Matches

Ilkay Gundogan against Luka Modric (Real Madrid) in the Champions League (Photo: Antara)

JAKARTA - Manchester City midfielder Ilkay Gundogan has tested positive for COVID-19. The German is the third player in City's squad to return a positive test result in recent weeks.

Earlier, winger Riyad Mahrez and defender Aymeric Laporte tested positive for COVID-19 earlier this month.

"Ilkay is now undergoing self-isolation for 10 days in accordance with Premier League and UK Government protocol on quarantine," the club said in a statement quoted by Antara on Monday, September 21.

Gundogan is likely to miss three games for City when he isolates himself, namely Monday's league match against Wolverhampton Wanderers, Thursday's League Cup tie against Bournemouth and the league match against Leicester City on Sunday.

Both Mahrez and Laporte returned to training last week but City boss Pep Guardiola said only the Algerian winger was ready to play Wolves - City's opener this season.

NEWS | @IlkayGuendogan has tested positive for Covid-19.🔷 #ManCity | https://t.co/axa0klD5re https://t.co/ObJdA4ncov

- Manchester City (@ManCity) September 21, 2020

Guardiola has previously said he wants to extend his contract at Manchester City, but the first is to prove to the owner of the Premier League club that he deserves a new contract.

Guardiola, who has led City to two Premier League titles since taking charge in 2016, signed a contract extension to remain at the Etihad until 2021.

"I want to stay here longer," said the 49-year-old coach ahead of the Wolves match.

"To extend my contract I have to deserve it, and we'll see if I deserve it this season, in terms of how the team progresses and develops."

City finished 18 points behind champions Liverpool in the league last season and were eliminated from the Champions League in the quarter-finals but Guardiola said his future at the club was not dependent on winning major trophies.