Pep Guardiola has confirmed that Erling Haaland will not feature for Manchester City against Sevilla on Wednesday, but could be fit for the weekend.
Haaland - who has scored 22 goals in his first 16 games for City in all competitions - did not feature in the defeat of Leicester on Saturday due to a foot injury. While Haaland would likely have been given Wednesday night off anyway given City have already won their Champions League group, on Tuesday Guardiola confirmed that the striker is not yet fully fit.
"He feels better. Comparing to Saturday, Sunday, Monday, every day feels better. Still not 100 per cent, we don't want to take a risk. Hopefully we have him against Fulham," Guardiola said.
READ MORE: Erling Haaland concern exposes major drop-off in Man City squad
Julian Alvarez will lead City's attack in the Norwegian's absence, but City fans will be hoping that Haaland recovers quickly and is good to go against Fulham. City are currently second in the Premier League table, two points behind leaders Arsenal. For the second weekend running City have the chance to put pressure on the Gunners by playing a day before; Mikel Arteta's side face a tricky trip to Stamford Bridge on Sunday to take on Chelsea.
On Twitter, City fans were generally not too upset with Haaland not featuring on Wednesday, and wouldn't have wanted him to even if he had been fully fit. However, some are a little worried that the visit of Fulham to the Etihad Stadium on Saturday might come a little too soon for the goal-machine.
@sapphicxswift: wasn't going to be playing in a dead game anyways so we move.
@KingTouchh: No rushing mate. Bring him back against Fulham to bang hat-trick.
@Stonesology: Already won the group so it doesn't matter too much that he won't play. Just hope he's ready for the weekend.
@gabeknowsball: Julian ball.
@PricelessTheo: Oh boy, I hope that the injury isn't that serious.
@PricelessTheo: I can't do it without Erling man.
READ MORE:
