Pep Guardiola hands crucial Erling Haaland fitness update ahead of Manchester City trip to Southampton

Erling Haaland is ready to feature when Manchester City take on Southampton on Saturday after recovering from a groin injury, Pep Guardiola has confirmed.

The Norway international has spent the past few weeks on the sidelines after withdrawing from international duty last month, which raised concerns about his availability for City’s upcoming games.

Missing from Manchester City’s matchday squad in their 4-1 thrashing of Liverpool last week entirely, Haaland was expected to make a swift return to action in the weeks to follow.

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City did not seem to miss their talisman against the Reds however, with Julian Alvarez scoring and heavily involved elsewhere in a stellar attacking performance from the Premier League champions at the Etihad Stadium.

Guardiola was handed a timely boost when Haaland returned to full training earlier this week as Manchester City walk through the Premier League run-in ahead of upcoming Champions League and FA Cup knockout ties.

Speaking in a press conference on Friday afternoon, the Catalan confirmed that Haaland is ready to return when the Blues face off against Southampton at St. Mary’s on Saturday.

“He (Haaland) trained the last two days really good, so he will be ready,” Guardiola said, as it remains to be seen if the Leeds-born striker is thrown straight back in this weekend.

The Manchester City boss will have one eye on his side’s upcoming Champions League quarter-final opening leg against Bayern Munich, which could have implications on Guardiola’s team selection for the weekend.

Asked whether Haaland requires minutes this weekend ahead of the all-important Champions League clash next week, Guardiola said: “Bayern Munich is my last thought,” indicating that his full focus lies on the immediate game against Southampton.

Guardiola knows all too well about looking too far ahead in the business end of the season, with City looking to close an eight-point deficit to league leaders Arsenal.

“Southampton have always been so tough there (at St. Mary’s). The game we made it to 100 Premier League points, they were much better than us, we’ve drawn before. It’s tough and I have a feeling tomorrow won’t be an exception,” the 52-year-old added.

“If we drop points, Arsenal will Premier League champions in advance. If we win, win, win, win, we might be champions on the last game of the season. This is what is going to happen.”