LONDON, Aug. 18 -- Manchester City coach Pep Guardiola said on Saturday that fans should not put too much pressure on 18-year-old striker Phil Foden.

Foden is considered the most talented player to have emerged from the City youth system in years and a future England international and following the confirmation that Kevin de Bruyne will be out of action for three months after damaging knee ligaments, some are tipping him to fill the void left by the Belgian.

However, speaking to Sky Sports ahead of his side's home game against Huddersfield on Sunday, Guardiola asked for patience with a player who only celebrated his 18th birthday in May.

"Of course Phil is special, but he is a young player so we have to be patient," he said, praising the youngster.

"On and off the pitch he is excellent, that is the first step to becoming a good player. He will play a lot of minutes and have games to play and go step by step. We cannot forget he is 18 so he is young."

"Be patient, work hard, listen and see what happens, we will help him to be a better player," continued the Manchester City coach.

Guardiola accepted that although he has alternatives in his squad, it is inevitable his side will miss last season's player of the year, De Bruyne, although he tried to be positive about the winger's injury.

"We cannot deny how important Kevin is and we are going to miss him but we have to help him. It's time for him to rest a bit after a tough season, have a bit more holiday and then start to prepare to come back and think about the players we have fit to win games," he said.

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