Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has provided a crucial fitness update on Erling Haaland, ahead of Saturday lunchtime’s Premier League clash against Leicester City.
The 22-year-old has emerged as a doubt for the trip to the King Power Stadium after leaving the goalless draw with old club Borussia Dortmund at halftime on Wednesday due to fatigue, sickness, and a mild foot injury.
Erling Haaland at the Manchester Institute of Health & Performance today.
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Guardiola has since issued a good update on the Norwegian’s fitness, but he remains unclear if the striker will be available to play on Saturday.
Guardiola stated during a news conference on Friday afternoon, “[Haaland] feels better but we will train this afternoon and we will assess in a few hours.
“We will see how he feels in his foot and then we will decide. I will know in two hours if he’s able to play or not. “After the [Dortmund] game everyone trained well. I have to wait for the people coming back to know exactly how they feel.”
So far this season, City have depended heavily on their new number nine in front of goal, with the 6ft 5in goal machine scoring 22 times in 16 appearances across all competitions, including 17 strikes in 11 Premier League games.
However, Haaland has failed to score in two of his past three games, and he may be unable to add to his total on Sunday if he is ruled unfit to play against the Foxes.
Related: Guardiola Provides Update On Erling Haaland Injury Scare
Guardiola has said that Julian Alvarez is his “first option” to play in attack if Haaland is unavailable, and the City manager believes the Argentine can provide an equal threat in front of goal.
“Normally if Erling [Haaland] is not ready then Julian [Alvarez] is the first option,” Guardiola added. “He can play false nine but I think this is not going to happen. When Erling is not ready then Julian is the first option. “[If he plays] 90 minutes every game, he will score goals, maybe not like Erling, but he will score goals.”
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