Erling Haaland is set to make his long-awaited return for Manchester City after almost two months out with a foot injury.
The Premier League top scorer was unable to walk following a defeat at Aston Villa last month and then suffered a setback in his recovery after Christmas.
Haaland has come through a number of training sessions without pain and is likely to be given minutes when City host Burnley on Wednesday night.
‘It’s the first time he is back,’ Pep Guardiola said. ‘We have all the squad, we are stronger. He is an important player for us.’
Guardiola doesn’t believe Haaland’s workload will be managed in the same way as Kevin De Bruyne given the problem wasn’t muscular.
Erling Haaland will be available for selection for Manchester City’s game against Burnley
Pep Guardiola revealed that Haaland ‘will be selected’ for tomorrow’s Premier League game against Burnley
Haaland had not featured in 10 games for the Cityzens after he was left unable to walk after their game against Aston Villa last month
The Norwegian shattered the top flight’s goalscoring record in his debut campaign in English football but is in a race to win this year’s Golden Boot with Mo Salah, Son Heung-Min and Dominic Solanke.
Haaland will offer City a major boost in their quest to lift a fourth consecutive title, while Manuel Akanji – the club’s only remaining absentee – having also trained on Monday.
‘We take it one game at a time,’ Guardiola added. ‘We made these runs in the past because it was focusing on just one game. It’s about Burnley, Burnley, Burnley.
The Man City boss also stated that Manuel Akanji would return to action following a knee injury
What does Haaland’s return mean for FPL managers?
Erling Haaland, Man City, Price: £13.9m
Haaland will cost players a pretty penny, but could be worth the fee if he returns to scoring ways. So far this season he’s netted 19 goals in 22 appearances for the Cityzens, amassing a whopping 112 FPL points.
Even after missing ten matches, that means he still sits fifth for the most points amassed of any player in the competition.
But while 52.3 per cent of managers have already opted to pick him, you may want to proceed with some caution, with Guardiola not confirming whether the Norwegian will start the match or come on as a substitute.
Those players who currently have Julian Alvarez in their team may want to think about swapping the Argentine out of their squad, with Haaland set to return.
Fifty-four per cent of players also currently have Ollie Watkins in their team and he could be a good option to swap out for Haaland, especially considering his recent form, having not scored in Villa’s previous four league matches.
Fantasty Premier League managers could opt to add Haaland back into their squads this week following his return
‘It doesn’t matter what we have done in the past but I am delighted we have almost all of the squad fit. Manu is back, yesterday he trained really well without knee problems and John (Stones) as well.
‘That is the best news for an important part of the season. Of course with the FA Cup and Champions League it is important to have everybody.’
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