Pep Guardiola has delivered an update on the fitness of Erling Haaland following Manchester City's 2-0 defeat at home to Liverpool in the Premier League on Sunday.
Haaland, Man City's top scorer in all competitions this season with 27 goals in 35 games, picked up a knee injury in the closing stages of City's 4-0 win over Newcastle United last weekend.
The Norwegian was subsequently unable to feature in the Citizens' 3-1 defeat to Real Madrid in the second leg of their Champions League playoff on Wednesday, losing 6-3 on aggregate.
City's No.9 watched on as an unused substitute in the Spanish capital, but he was left out of Guardiola's matchday squad entirely for the Premier League showdown with Liverpool, who breezed to victory at the Etihad courtesy of goals from Mohamed Salah and Dominik Szoboszlai.
Man City were crying out for Haaland's presence against the Premier League leaders, as Omar Marmoush and Phil Foden struggled to put their stamp on the contest while operating in central positions.
The Citizens completed just four of their 21 crosses in the 90 minutes against Liverpool and found it difficult to break down a resilient Reds backline including colossal centre-back duo Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate.
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Could Haaland return for Spurs vs. Man City on Wednesday?
Man City, who remain fourth in the Premier League table and now sit a whopping 20 points behind leaders Liverpool, will endeavour to return to winning ways when they take on Tottenham Hotspur in North London on Wednesday night.
Ahead of that contest, Guardiola has provided an update on Haaland's situation and has discussed whether his leading marksman could return for the midweek fixture in the capital.
Speaking at his post-match press conference, Guardiola said: "I don't know [when he will be back]. [It was] a moment against Newcastle he made an action that moved his knee.
"Apparently it's not dangerous because all the examinations dictate that it's fine, but he didn't feel fine.
"I have a feeling it will be soon [when Haaland is back] because [on Saturday] he trained and made some really good movements.
"But he said to us that he's not ready and we have to respect that. Hopefully against Spurs and in the next games he can help us."
Haaland played against Spurs earlier this season in the reverse fixture at the Etihad in November last year, but he was unable to get his name on the scoresheet as Ange Postecoglou's side secured a surprising 4-0 victory in the top flight.
Meanwhile, Man City are still having to cope without long-term absentees Rodri (ACL), Manuel Akanji (abductor) and John Stones (thigh), while it remains unknown as to when Oscar Bobb could return, as he continues to build up his fitness in training after more than six months out with a leg fracture.
Oliver Thomas
