Haaland has notched 20 Premier League goals this season, putting him joint-top of the division’s goalscoring chart alongside Chelsea’s Cole Palmer – who could make a return of his own this weekend.
Pep Guardiola cryptic on Erling Haaland return chances
Guardiola didn't give much away (Image credit: Getty Images)
Guardiola was not exactly transparent on Haaland’s chances of making a comeback this weekend, cryptically telling the media: "I prefer to have Erling at my disposal than to [be without him]. I spoke with him, and he says he feels better, I don't know.”
The Norwegian’s last involvement for City came in their Champions League quarter-final second leg against Real Madrid, with Haaland going off before extra time began.
Guardiola revealed after his side’s penalty shootout defeat that Haaland had asked to be withdrawn and that he had been playing through the issue that has kept him out of the two games since.
Haaland started this season in his usual sensational form but his rate of fire has slowed dow somewhat since he returned from a month-long lay-off with a foot injury in January.
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Nonetheless, he has managed six goals in his past ten league starts, as well as scoring five times against Luton in the FA Cup.
City take on relegation-battling Nottingham Forest on Sunday in an encounter with implications at both ends of the table. City are one point behind league leaders Arsenal with a game in hand, while Forest are just one point outside the relegation zone.
Steven Chicken has been working as a football writer since 2009, taking in stints with Football365 and the Huddersfield Examiner. Steven still covers Huddersfield Town home and away for his own publication, WeAreTerriers.com. Steven is a two-time nominee for Regional Journalist of the Year at the prestigious British Sports Journalism Awards, making the shortlist in 2020 and 2023.
