Maresca says Man City star still ‘not 100%’

Manchester City boss Enzo Maresca says Nico O’Reilly’s omission from the England squad is down to ongoing fitness issues.

O’Reilly was left out of Thomas Tuchel’s latest England squad, but Maresca explained that the 21-year-old has not been fully fit in recent weeks.

“With Nico, it’s quite easy,” Maresca said. “His back, if you remember before the Coventry game, some more problems unfortunately.

“He’s not 100 per cent. In the last game, I really liked him, he was playing a very good game, and this is what we need from Nico.

“We need to keep him fit because we know how good he is and no doubt in the future he will again be with the national team.”

Maresca believes the upcoming international break will give O’Reilly the opportunity to focus on his recovery and return to full fitness.

“It’s what he needs,” he added.

“To use that break to do the right things in terms of therapy and these kind of things and be 100 per cent after the international break.”

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