Erling Haaland did not play for Manchester City against Liverpool or Real Madrid because of a knee injury, but Pep Guardiola hopes to have the striker back for the Tottenham Hotspur match
A dozen players are doubtful or ruled out of tonight’s Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City.
Pep Guardiola had hoped to have Erling Haaland back for the Spurs match after a knee injury kept the striker from playing against Liverpool and Real Madrid. He trained before the weekend’s Premier League game and has continued working with the team this week.
Guardiola is now said to have decided on the player’s involvement against Tottenham after Haaland has felt better this week. During his pre-match press conference, the City manager acknowledged that he would decide after Tuesday’s training session.
Oscar Bobb is also training again and Guardiola thinks the player will return soon from a pre-season leg break. He and Haaland will likely be the only two back over the coming games.
The prognosis for John Stones is better than first feared as the thigh injury does not require surgery. However, a return is likely to come in April at the earliest.
That is the same month Manuel Akanji is due to be back after tearing his adductor muscle. Rodri remains the long-term absentee and is still out for the rest of this season but could return for the Club World Cup in mid-June.
As for Spurs, they are without several players. Ben Davies, Cristian Romero, Micky van der Ven and Radu Dragusin remain sidelined while there are still issues in forward areas. Dominic Solanke and Richarlison are out until early next month, but Timo Werner is training with the team again.
Ange Postecoglou left the forward out despite being available for their weekend visit to Ipswich Town. However, the Tottenham head coach has confirmed that the former Germany international is still available, with that decision affected by an injury to Davies requiring another defender on the substitutes bench.
