Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has confirmed that Erling Haaland is "recovering" but could be back to face Liverpool on Saturday.
Haaland, 22, suffered a groin injury before the international break and was forced to pull out of Norway's squad for Euro 2024 qualifiers against Spain and Georgia.
The former Borussia Dortmund striker has since spent some time recovering from the issue in Marbella, where he often goes for a short break and on his holidays. Haaland also visited a hospital in Barcelona.
Having returned to Manchester earlier this week, Haaland was not spotted in City's open training session on Thursday. That presented serious doubts about his availability for this weekend's game.
However, Guardiola has revealed that Haaland could feature and is set to return to training on Friday afternoon. Speaking in his pre-Liverpool press conference, Guardiola said: "Erling is recovering, tomorrow we have the last training session and we will see how he feels."
Guardiola added: "We have the last training session at 4pm today so then we will see how he feels. We still today and especially the player will decide. We will see, we will see what happens."
His father, Alfie, said last week that Haaland would be 'touch and go' for the clash with Liverpool. It seems as though his prediction is spot on as City prepare for their final 11 league matches.
Guardiola's men usually do a light training session a day before the game and that is set to be the case ahead of the game against Liverpool. City supporters will be begging that Haaland is fit given his goal record.
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Haaland has scored 42 goals in 37 matches for City this season and notched eight in two before the international period, including a hat-trick against Burnley. He is undoubtedly the top scorer in the Premier League this term (28), with Harry Kane and Ivan Toney way behind on 21 and 16 respectively.
Meanwhile, City will definitely be without Phil Foden after he pulled out of England's international squad with appendicitis. The 22-year-old was expected to play in the Three Lions' game against Ukraine before falling unwell.
When asked about his condition and recovery time, Guardiola said: "Phil has had surgery. The doctors tell me two or three weeks."
City sit eight points behind leaders Arsenal going into the run-in but do have a game in hand on their rivals. Guardiola's men still have to face the Gunners, too, at the end of next month.
As for Arsenal, they face Leeds this weekend and will be hoping Jurgen Klopp can do them a favour at the Etihad Stadium in the early kick-off. They have won their last six Premier League matches.
