12 December 2023 , 19:41
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Erling Haaland is set to return to Manchester City training on Thursday, according to boss Pep Guardiola.
City's star striker missed Sunday's 2-1 win at Luton with a stress fracture of the foot, sparking concerns he could be set for an extended spell on the sidelines. But Guardiola, speaking ahead of City's final Champions League group game against Red Star Belgrade on Wednesday, said he expects Haaland – who has 19 goals this season - to resume training when City get back to the UK.
Asked if Haaland had trained since missing the Luton game, Guardiola said: “No. He’ll be back, I think, on Thursday. We’ll see how he feels.”
City host Crystal Palace on Saturday, but Guardiola said he was uncertain if Haaland will be involved in their last game before heading off to the Club World Cup in Saudi Arabia. “I don’t know right now,” said Guardiola. “Next press conference I could be more precise about his condition.”
City have been without captain and influential midfielder Kevin De Bruyne since opening their Premier League campaign with a 3-0 win at Burnley back in August. Despite De Bruyne's huge influence, Guardiola refused to put City's patchy domestic form this season solely down to the prolonged absence of the 32-year-old Belgian.
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Haaland is expected to train with City on Thursday (Ryan Browne/REX/Shutterstock)“Of course I’d prefer if Kevin was with us,” said Guardiola. “Of course we need him but you have to handle the situation with the players we have.
“I’ve said many times, when we have stable positions with players like last season, the cover with the players you mention. Of course, the word isn’t miss something but change something and you need time to adapt. But I have the feeling so far is good, we don’t drop too much. But we have standards. We lost one game in six or seven, so it’s a big disaster. The others we draw but perform really well.”
With City already confirmed as Group G winners, Guardiola is expected to rotate his squad for the dead rubber, with RB Leipzig also through as runners-up.
Stefan Ortega will come in for Ederson in goal, for only his fourth appearance of the season. Ortega said: “I’m happy for every game I get here. Tomorrow could be the next chance to show my best version.
“First of all, you have to be a good shot-stopper. This is our main target. Of course, you have to be good with your feet and I think to play here, you need the full package of a keeper. The build-up, controlling space behind the last line, controlling the box, and being a good shot-stopper.”