Manchester City have been given a significant injury boost, with Pep Guardiola confirming that their leading scorer Erling Haaland is set to return from a foot problem that has kept him out since December.
The striker is one of three City players to have recovered from injury, with John Stones and Manuel Akanji also both available for selection in the home match with Burnley on Wednesday night.
In addition to those three players being back, Kevin De Bruyne and Jeremy Doku also returned recently to action, meaning that City now almost are back to their full complement of players.
“The most important news is almost all the squad are fit,” Guardiola said on the club's official website. “Apparently he [Haaland] will be selected. [This is] the first time he is back.
“We have all the squad, we are stronger. Definitely.
“Erling is an important player for us. Two months out, but he feels good - we have a training session [today], but apparently tomorrow he will be with us.”
When asked if Haaland will be gradually reintegrated back into the first team in a similar way to how he has done with De Bruyne, Guardiola said: “Kevin’s was muscular with surgery, so it was a completely different approach.
“Erling’s was a stress on the bone, so a different approach. Step by step."
'The important part of season starts now'
Guardiola confirmed that with his team fighting on three fronts and trailing in the league by five points to leaders Liverpool, the returns of Akanji and Stones are also a major lift.
| Position Pos | Club | Played Pl | GD | Points Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Man City
MCI
|
38 | +62 | 91 |
| 2 |
Arsenal
ARS
|
38 | +62 | 89 |
| 3 |
Liverpool
LIV
|
38 | +45 | 82 |
| 4 |
Aston Villa
AVL
|
38 | +15 | 68 |
| 5 |
Spurs
TOT
|
38 | +13 | 66 |
“Manu is back, training well he doesn't feel his knee," Guardiola said. "John as well. That is the best news.
"The important part of season starts now. FA Cup, the [UEFA] Champions League is around the corner and of course the Premier League – it’s important that we have everyone available.”
