Pep Guardiola missed Manchester City’s press conference on Friday for personal reasons, one day after speaking at a charity event in Barcelona supporting Palestinian children.

The City manager was due to preview Sunday’s Premier League clash with Tottenham, but assistant Pep Lijnders stepped in. The club did not give details, but Guardiola is expected back in Manchester on Friday and to oversee training on Saturday.

Lijnders said: “The manager is good, full of ambition and passion, but it is a personal matter. He will arrive back here today.”

It is the second time this season Guardiola has missed a press conference for personal reasons. Last month, Kolo Touré filled in, while Lijnders also covered media duties during Guardiola’s touchline ban.

Lijnders also confirmed the club is supporting defender Ruben Dias after his home was burgled this week. Neither Dias nor his partner, TV presenter Maya Jama, were at the property at the time.

“These are things you never want to happen,” Lijnders said. “We will support him and see how things go.”

City also faces an injury setback, with winger Jeremy Doku sidelined by a calf issue picked up in the win over Galatasaray. Lijnders expects the recovery to be shorter than his previous injury.

Finally, Lijnders said City remains focused on closing the gap on Arsenal at the top of the table, adding that the team must “win their own games and keep the pressure on.”