Manchester City’s star striker Erling Haaland appears set to return from injury in next week’s Premier League home match against Burnley. The treble winners take on Tottenham Hotspur tonight in FA Cup action at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. But it seems that tonight’s game is too soon for City’s number 9 to feature.
Pep Guardiola provided an update on Erling Haaland’s recovery from a foot injury. The striker returned to training during the club’s midseason training camp in Dubai. Guardiola explained during the embargoed section of his pre-game press conference that Erling Haaland isn’t feeling any pain in his foot as he builds up to his return to the pitch. Guardiola said: “In Abu Dhabi and here in the last week to last 10 days, he didn’t feel anything which is a good sign. Coming back after two-three sessions he felt a little bit of disturbance, that’s why we were cautious, but now he feels good and in three or four more days, hopefully against Burnley, he can play some minutes and after that, we will see.”
The City manager also explained that Haaland’s injury was worse than initially diagnosed. Guardiola told the media: “In the start, we thought it was a bit less, but there was a little fracture on the bone. When you have these kinds of injuries, it’s between six and eight weeks out – it’s not a lot. The bone needs time to close and now he’s almost at the end of eight weeks next weekend or next week. He feels good and now he needs time for the rhythm and start to get the minutes, then he will be fit.”
Manchester City will be eagerly waiting for the return of Erling Haaland. He is the side’s top scorer this season with 19 goals. He adds firepower and the ability to be a match-winner to Pep Guardiola’s squad. There is also the prospect of his renewal of his partnership with Kevin De Bruyne as the Belgian midfielder has returned from hamstring surgery.
