Pep Guardiola provides worrying Erling Haaland injury update and says “he’s not perfect”

Pep Guardiola has explained how Erling Haaland is progressing with his recovery but admits he is still “not perfect” ahead of their midweek clash.

Haaland came off the bench against Fulham over the weekend and scored the winning goal from the penalty spot.

The 22-year-old has taken the Premier League by storm with 18 goals in his first 12 appearances.

The star striker has been nursing an injury as of late and Guardiola explained how he is progressing.

The manager explained (via Manchester Evening News): “He is still not perfect. We will see tomorrow and on Saturday.

“He is getting better. What’s important is the bone is not broken so there’s no damage, just the ligament is damaged a little bit. It’s not perfect right now, but in one week or 10 days anything can happen – it can change.”

Man City face Chelsea in the EFL Cup in midweek before they return to Premier League action against Brentford at the weekend.

When asked if Haaland would join up with Norway for the international break he responded: “If he feels good. To play for the national team is important for the players. I have no problem for players to when they are fit to play for the national.”

Having topped Group G, Man City were drawn against RB Leipzig in the Champions League round of 16 draw.

Guardiola added: “We have a shared experience from last season. We will see what happens in February, how we arrive, how they arrive.

“But I have a huge respect for what they have done in German football and Europe. It’s a young team with a clear philosophy on the way they want to play.

“It’s the Champions League last-16 – all the teams are strong in these stages. It is just after the World Cup and how we feel in that moment. In February, many things can happen.”

Guardiola’s side currently sit second in the Premier League and are two points behind Arsenal who lead the way.

Their focus in midweek with shift towards the EFL Cup, a trophy that Guardiola has won four times with City.

The Man City manager added: “We have not decided on the squad yet because we have training this afternoon and we have time until tomorrow night to prepare the team to win the game, to do our performance as good as possible. This is the approach.”