Pep Guardiola provides fresh Erling Haaland injury update ahead of Crystal Palace clash

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has provided a fresh update on the fitness of striker Erling Haaland.

The 23-year-old has missed Manchester City’s past two matches against Luton Town and Crvena zvezda due to a foot injury, and is seeking to be in contention to feature at the upcoming FIFA Club World Cup in Saudi Arabia.

Manchester City face Crystal Palace in the Premier League on Saturday afternoon, looking to close the gap to league leaders Liverpool, ahead of travelling to the Middle East in midweek.

Pep Guardiola’s side ended a four-match winless streak in the Premier League last weekend, beating Luton Town at Kenilworth Road, in the absence of the Norway international and fellow forward star Jeremy Doku.

Manchester City were also victorious in the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday, winning 3-2 in the Belgrade, courtesy of goals from Micah Hamilton, Oscar Bobb and Kalvin Phillips.

Crystal Palace, who are winless since November, visit the Etihad Stadium on Saturday afternoon, with Haaland having scored four goals against the Eagles last season, including a hat-trick.

The striker missed a league match for Manchester City for the first time this season last weekend, and ahead of Saturday’s clash against Palace, Pep Guardiola has issued a fresh update on the fitness of the 23-year-old.

The Catalan revealed that Haaland has returned to the City Football Academy but is a doubt to feature against Crystal Palace this weekend.

“I don’t think so [play vs Palace], maybe he surprises me,” said Guardiola.

“[Haaland] arrive today, we see the doctors and we will see. He’s had treatment [away.] Hopefully he can travel to Saudi, tomorrow after the game, we see if he plays the first game or second.

“Not fractured, just stress. Sometimes players recover quickly, longer. Day by day, week by week, how he feels. The moment he doesn’t have pain he will play.”

Haaland has scored 19 goals in 22 appearances for Manchester City so far this season, and currently leads the race for the Golden Boot, with 14 Premier League goals.