Erling Haaland won’t be available for Manchester City’s Champions League match against Red Star Belgrade tonight.
As he continues to heal from a foot ailment, the prolific Norwegian attacker will miss his second straight game in Serbia on Wednesday night.
With the Champions League holders having guaranteed a spot in the round of 16 after winning Group G, Pep Guardiola does not have many more concerns about his players’ health going into the match in Belgrade.
Here are the most recent Man City injury updates and their expected returns.
Erling Haaland
Erling Haaland Guardiola revealed that Haaland was missing the hard-fought 2-1 victory at Luton on Sunday, capping a four-game losing streak. Guardiola claimed that Haaland was experiencing a “bone-stress reaction” in his foot, which he stressed was not fractured.
Guardiola stated that Haaland had been coping with the issue ever since the loss against Aston Villa and that he was taking things “week by week, day by day” to determine when he would be able to return.
At his pre-match press conference on Tuesday, the City manager gave reporters another update before the journey to Belgrade, stating that he thought Haaland may resume training on Thursday.
It appears unlikely that he will be fit for Palace at this point, and it is more likely that he will make his comeback on Tuesday, December 19, in the Club World Cup semi-final in Saudi Arabia, where Japan’s Urawa Red Diamonds or Leon of Mexico will play the opposition.
Haaland would undoubtedly play if healthy, but City cannot afford to lose many more points in their defence of the Premier League championship following their recent inconsistent play.
“I believe he will return on Thursday. We’ll watch his mood,” Guardiola remarked.
“I could be more specific at the next press conference, but I don’t know when he will be back right now.”
Possible Return Date: Tuesday, December 19th, in the Club World Cup semi-final.
Kevin De Bruyne
Since the first game of the new Premier League season in August, when City defeated newly-promoted Burnley 3-0, De Bryune has not appeared on the field for the team. Surgery was necessary due to a catastrophic hamstring injury he sustained.
Since then, the Belgian has been making a return. In November, he disclosed the full depth of the damage and his surgery, comparing his hamstring to a “wet kitchen towel”.
Although De Bruyne had resumed running on the grass outside, Guardiola revealed last week that he had not yet trained with his City teammates.
With regard to his prospects of competing in the upcoming Club World Cup, Guardiola stated: “It might be early, but I’m not sure.”
Possible date of return: Not specified
Jeremy Doku
The Belgium teammate of Jeremy Doku De Bruyne was forced off of the 3-3 draw with Tottenham and did not play against Villa or Luton.
He is not expected to play against Palace, nor will he play in Belgrade. It is unclear if Guardiola would risk anything for the Club World Cup, or if he will wait until City’s Premier League comeback on December 27 against Everton.
Guardiola remarked over the weekend, “It’s muscular, it’s not a big, big issue like Kevin was, for example.” Because of his explosive nature, we also need to consider it.
We must exercise caution. It’s uncertain when he will be prepared; it could take him a week or two.”
Possible return date: December 19, Tuesday, in the Club World Cup semifinal