Pep Guardiola has played down any long-term fears over the fitness of Erling Haaland after the striker missed Manchester City’s 2-1 win at Luton with a foot injury. Guardiola hopes the prolific Norwegian will be fit for City’s first game at the Club World Cup in Saudi Arabia, on 19 December.
Guardiola relayed Haaland’s problem as a “bone stress reaction” but insisted nothing was broken. “He was not ready today, I don’t think so for Crystal Palace [on Saturday] but hopefully he can be ready in Saudi Arabia,” Guardiola said. “Week by week will dictate how he feels.”