Manchester City Awaits Full Squad Recovery as Haaland Nears Return
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola is optimistic about having a fully-fit squad with an injury return for their star striker Erling Haaland on the cards.
Despite recent injury setbacks, City showcased depth in the FA Cup win against Tottenham, with only Erling Haaland and Manuel Akanji being absent for the English Champions. Both players are expected to make a return for the upcoming home game against Burnley on Wednesday.
Guardiola was able to include key players like Kevin De Bruyne, John Stones, and Ederson on the bench during the FA Cup clash, indicating progress on the injury front. The potential return of Erling Haaland, who has been sidelined since December 6 due to a foot issue, is a significant boost for City.
Haaland, who has missed a total of ten games, participated in recent training sessions, prompting Guardiola to express optimism about his return. The Norwegian striker, who last played in City’s 1-0 defeat to Aston Villa, is likely to feature in the Burnley game, barring any unforeseen complications.
Guardiola clarified that Haaland’s injury is not a fracture but a stress reaction in the bone, and the player has been gradually recovering with increased training intensity during City’s warm-weather break in Abu Dhabi.
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The potential return of Haaland on January 31 against Burnley adds excitement to City’s pursuit of maintaining their strong position in the Premier League. Fans eagerly anticipate the impact of the star striker, who scored a memorable hat-trick against Burnley in the FA Cup last season.
As City gears up for crucial fixtures, including a trip to Brentford on February 5, Guardiola remains optimistic about the team’s overall fitness and performance in the upcoming matches.