Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola says he is hopeful that Erling Haaland will be back to face Fulham this weekend.
Speaking ahead of Wednesday’s fixture against Sevilla, Guardiola confirmed that the Norwegian international won’t be available for the Champions League game but the striker could be ready for Saturday:
“Tomorrow he is not available. He feels better compared to Saturday and Sunday but he is not 100% and we don’t want to take a risk, it makes no sense. Hopefully he will be back for Fulham. Every day he is feeling better.”
Supporters on Twitter are not particularly bothered about Haaland’s absence for a dead-rubber European match but they are still slightly concerned about when he will return to fitness:
don't mind as long he plays on the weekend
— m' (@juliandrxl3r) November 1, 2022
He said that before. No need for him to play. It’s gonna be ok people
— ally speirs (@allyspeirs) November 1, 2022
Don't think he'll start against Fulham aswell
— Sourav Bhakat (@srv_speaks) November 1, 2022
absolutely no reason for him to be playing tomorrow even if he was fit
— DazzlingDias (@DazzlingDias4) November 1, 2022
Good. Will be needed against fulham, as we are going top this weekend…
— Baby ✪ (@vikkyofficiall) November 1, 2022
This is one of those injury’s where everyone like nahhh he’ll be back next game then bam 4 months and it’s still the same 👀
— Stefano (@CSPhoenixesq) November 1, 2022
Isn't needed anyway until the weekend.
— Ⓜ️ikey-Ⓜ️2️⃣0️⃣Blue (@BlueMoonMikeyJ) November 1, 2022
Nay bother. Give the lad some rest anyway.
— Paul Allan (@PAFinancial) November 1, 2022
Gooooood
Let him feast vs Fulham or bring him on if we need a goal
I'd definitely give him minutes vs Chelsea it will be good for him before we actually play them in the Premier league
— Hgp (@GidzOG) November 1, 2022
Haaland is believed to be recovering from ankle ligament damage, which he suffered against Borussia Dortmund last week. He has already missed one Premier League game and it does seem like he is touch and go for the match versus Fulham.
If the 22-year-old isn’t back to face the Cottagers at the Etihad, there is a strong chance that he will be given a runout against Chelsea in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday week instead.
