Pep expresses doubt over Haaland readiness for Palace clash
Man City boss Pep Guardiola has expressed doubt over Erling Haaland fitness ahead Crystal Palace premier league clash on Saturday.
The Norwegian has missed City’s last two matches against Luton Town and Red Star Belgrade due to a “bone stress reaction” in his foot.
Prior to Wednesday’s 3-2 win away against Red Star in the Champions League, Guardiola stated that Haaland is set to return to training on Thursday, providing hope for Citizens supporters that he could feature in some capacity against Crystal Palace.
Guardiola has since confirmed that Haaland has arrived at the club today (Friday) to be assessed, but he does not expect the striker to be involved on Saturday.
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However, the Catalan boss is hopeful that the 23-year-old can travel with the first-team squad to Saudi Arabia for the Club World Cup next week.
Discussing Haaland’s condition at a press conference on Friday, Guardiola said: “[Haaland] arrived today and the doctors will see him and how he feels.
“He has been for treatment away. Hopefully he can travel to Saudi tomorrow after the game. I think he will travel with us and after that we will see if he is able to play the first or second.
“I don’t think so [play against Palace]. Maybe there will [be a] surprise and they tell me something new but I don’t think so.”
Asked if he is worried by Haaland’s injury, Guardiola added: “No. It’s not fracture, just stress. Sometimes players recover quicker or longer. The doctors say we have to take it day by day or week by week on how he feels.
“The moment he doesn’t have symptoms or doesn’t feel pain, he will be available to play again.”
Haaland, who has been named as a finalist for The Best FIFA Men’s Player 2023 award, is the Premier League’s top scorer this season with 14 goals in 15 games, three more than his nearest challenger Mohamed Salah (11).
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The potential absence of City’s No.9 will likely see Julian Alvarez handed a start as a central striker after the Argentine was rested in midweek against Red Star along with a number of other first-team regulars.
There was no mention of Jeremy Doku at Guardiola’s press conference, but it is thought that the winger, like Haaland, is unlikely to feature against Crystal Palace as he continues to recover from a muscle injury.
Man City currently sit fourth in the Premier League table and can move to within one point of leaders Liverpool, who play host to Manchester United on Sunday, if they beat Crystal Palace on Saturday.