Kyle Walker and Jack Grealish left out of Man City’s Boxing Day clash with Everton amid Premier League champions’ dismal run of form

Manchester City captain Kyle Walker and Jack Grealish have been left out of the squad for today’s Premier League clash with Everton.

Walker was named on the bench for Saturday’s 2-1 defeat at Aston Villa before replacing the injured John Stones at half-time.

But this time he isn’t even in the squad as City look to end their run of nine defeats in their last 12 games.

He is joined on the absent list by Grealish, who played the full 90 minutes against his former club as he was booed by Villa fans at the weekend.

City have stated that Walker is unwell, while Grealish has been deemed to lack match fitness.

It’s a double blow for Pep Guardiola, with his side down to seventh heading into this afternoon’s game.

Kyle Walker has not been included in Man City’s squad to face Everton due to illness

Jack Grealish will also not feature this afternoon as he struggles with his fitness

It’s a double blow for Pep Guardiola, who has admitted he wants to strengthen his squad

He already has to do without star midfielder Rodri, while Stones, Ruben Dias, Ederson and Matheus Nunes are also currently on the treatment table.

Guardiola has admitted the Premier League champions will look to dip into the transfer market next month to bolster their squad.

“If we can, we have to add players,” Guardiola told Amazon Prime Video ahead of the Boxing Day game at the Etihad.

‘We fight in the back, in the middle. Saying that, I don’t know if it’s going to happen because the transfer window in the winter is not easy. But everyone is aware. I think even the players are asking “We want to add some players!?”

There is some good news for City as Nathan Ake returns to the starting XI, with the Netherlands international joined by Rico Lewis, Manuel Akanji and Josko Gvardiol in defence.

Bernardo Silva will captain the side in Walker’s absence and Guardiola has selected Phil Foden and Mateo Kovacic to play alongside him in midfield, with Savinho, Jeremy Doku and Erling Haaland forming the front three.

After an injury-hit campaign, Kevin De Bruyne is only on the bench, while Ilkay Gundogan is also only mentioned among the substitutes.

A win for City at the Etihad would lift them into the top five ahead of their rivals, who play later in the day or tomorrow.

However, getting past Everton is unlikely to be straightforward given their current form and the Toffees’ recent robust displays.

Sean Dyche’s side have held title contenders Arsenal and Chelsea to goalless draws in their last two matches.