Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola issues update on Julian Alvarez’s availability ahead of Everton clash

Pep Guardiola has confirmed Julian Alvarez will return to training after Manchester City’s Premier League meeting with Everton on New Year’s Eve.

The Premier League champions host Frank Lampard’s men in their final league fixture of the calendar year after claiming wins over Liverpool and Leeds following the Qatar World Cup.

Erling Haaland was at the double in midweek as City claimed a 3-1 victory at Elland Road, with Jack Grealish twice setting up the Premier League’s leading goalscorer for his 19th and 20th league strikes of the season.

City remain stocked with options in attack as Phil Foden and Bernardo Silva started City’s recent triumph in Yorkshire on the bench.

Julian Alvarez has been away with the Argentina National Team after their enthralling World Cup final win over France in Qatar.

The River Plate academy graduate, who joined City for £14 million in the summer, scored four times and provided an assists for his country in their third World Cup winning campaign.

City announced the signing of Alvarez on the final day of last season’s January transfer window before loaning the 22-year-old back to River Plate for the remainder of the season.

With some tricky games looming for Pep Guardiola’s side following the New Year, the Catalan will be keen to shuffle his pack as City search for a third successive Premier League title.

Speaking ahead of a visit from Everton on New Year’s Eve, the Manchester City manager confirmed that Julian Alvarez will re-join his club teammates after their match against Everton.

Guardiola could very well turn to Alvarez when City face Graham Potter’s Chelsea at Stamford Bridge next weekend after a successful international campaign for the young forward.

Alvarez has netted seven times and provided two assists in 20 appearances across all competitions for Manchester City since his move from River Plate in the summer.

Though the Argentinian is not due to return to Manchester until after Saturday’s clash at the Etihad Stadium, the game against Everton presents an opportunity to the likes of Jack Grealish, Riyad Mahrez and Phil Foden to impress Pep Guardiola ahead of Alvarez’s return.