Manchester City striker Erling Haaland is likely to return against Fulham or versus Chelsea in the Carabao Cup, according to manager Pep Guardiola.

The Norwegian international sat out the 1-0 win over Leicester at the weekend due to an ankle injury and Guardiola has said he won’t risk him in the midweek Champions League fixture either:

“He has ligament damage. He feels better, we have one more week. He won’t play against Sevilla because we’ve already qualified and hopefully against Fulham he can help us. If not he might play against Chelsea in the Carabao Cup.”

City were noticeably less potent in front of goal at the weekend, so they will hope to have Haaland back in contention soon.

The 22-year-old has been in incredible form this campaign, averaging a goal every 0.73 matches, and there is a slight concern that the Premier League champions may become overreliant on him for goals.

Fulham have conceded 22 in 13 league fixtures, so you would back the Citizens to score, even without Haaland, but when you have such a lethal weapon at your disposal, you would like to have him on the pitch as often as possible.