Pep Guardiola provides Erling Haaland injury update amid longer term concerns

15 December 2023 , 12:50

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Pep Guardiola provides Erling Haaland injury update amid longer term concerns

Pep Guardiola has ruled Erling Haaland out of Manchester City's clash with Crystal Palace this weekend - but insists he's not worried by the striker's injury.

Haaland missed City's last two matches against Luton last weekend and Crvena Zvezda in midweek due to a foot injury.

Discussing Haaland's situation in a press conference on Friday, Guardiola said: "[He] arrived today, we see the doctors and we will see. He's had treatment [away.] Hopefully he can travel to Saudi [for the Club World Cup], after the game [vs Palace on Saturday], we see if he plays the first game or second."

Asked whether Haaland would play against Palace, the City boss replied: "I don't think so, maybe he surprises me." Pressed on if he's concerned about a lengthy layoff, Guardiola said: "No. It's 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."

City's comeback win over Luton ended a disappointing run of four league games without a win after draws with Chelsea, Liverpool and Tottenham followed by a defeat at in-form Aston Villa. City head into their clash with Palace fourth in the table and four points behind Premier League leaders Liverpool for what will be their final domestic clash before Christmas.

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The reigning Champions League holders play their first Club World Cup fixture on Tuesday in the semi-final against the winner of Club Leon vs Urawa Reds. Should City win that they will compete in the final in Jeddah on December 22 against the winner of Fluminese vs either Al Ahly or Al Ittihad.

But first up for City is the visit of Palace, who were unlucky last weekend against Liverpool after they let a one-goal lead slip following Jordan Ayew's controversial red card and Guardiola is not taking anything for granted against a club who have provided the odd shock against his team in years gone by.

"It has always has been a tough game, so it will be a tough game," Guardiola said. "How they defend is brilliant, set pieces. Tough game, always has been here. Never easy against Roy Hodgson, [Patrick] Vieira too, but especially with Roy."

Praising Hodgson, Guardiola admitted he didn't think he would still be managing when he gets to 76-years-old like his opposite number, adding: "He has the fire and passion inside to still be there. His teams are really good. They did incredibly well vs Liverpool at 11v11 [before the red card]."

Darren Wells