Guardiola provides fresh Haaland update and reveals another Man City star is ready to start against Wolves after injury | OneFootball

Pep Guardiola has not ruled out Erling Haaland returning to the Manchester City bench on Friday against Wolves.

The striker has been absent since City’s FA Cup win over Bournemouth last month, when he sustained an ankle injury.

Haaland is still not in full team training but when asked if he could be named on the bench this Friday, Guardiola answered: “Yeah, I am saying that yesterday he trained, today we are going to train and after we talk with the doctors like with every game.

“First of all how does he feel and afterwards the doctors as well. So I don’t know yet, honestly.”

The Catalan also revealed the possible return of another one of Manchester City’s key players. Ederson has not played in the Sky Blues’ last three matches after the Brazil international went down injured and was substituted during City’s recent victory over Crystal Palace.

Last Sunday, Ederson returned to the squad and was among the substitutes at Wembley, however, with usual cup goalkeeper Stefan Ortega starting instead.

But asked if the goalkeeper is ready to be back in the starting line-up against Wolves, Guardiola confirmed: “Yes, we will decide, but he is training and recovered.”

City’s boss was less certain about Haaland’s fitness. On when to expect the Norwegian’s return, Guardiola declared: “Soon, I think he is getting better. So he was injured for four to six weeks. Now it has been between four and five.

“So the injury is not easy, the diagnosis is a tricky, tricky injury.

“But he’s making partial training, he’s almost fully, fully training, he’s getting better. Hopefully in the next games, he can be there.”

It was initially feared that Haaland might be out until after the end of the season, however that is no longer a worry for his manager.

“I think he will be able to play before the Club World Cup,” Guardiola added.

“I need to speak to the doctors and the physios. So the last game, for example, against Nottingham Forest in the FA Cup semi-final, he said ‘I am not ready.’

“So it will be when he feels ready and the doctor says yes.”