Man City handed Erling Haaland fitness boost vs Southampton

Manchester City have been handed a timely Erling Haaland fitness boost, with Pep Guardiola saying the 42-goal striker is “ready” again.

The prolific Norway international picked up a knock when netting a hat-trick in a FA Cup clash with Burnley on March 18. He had to withdraw from Euro 2024 qualification action with his country as a result and was unable to play any part for his club in a 4-1 Premier League win over Liverpool last time out.

City were given three days off after beating Liverpool and when they returned Haaland was able to train. The Norwegian has worked well enough this week for Guardiola to rule him fit for the weekend before they head down.

Guardiola has told reporters when asked for an update on Haaland: “He’s been training really good, he will be ready. Bayern Munich is my last thought.”

Having been a revelation in front of goal this seasonm Haaland will be hoping to help fire City to major honours this season.

Guardiola is accustomed to collecting trophies in any given campaign and has said on the reasons why he always manages to steer clear of sack trouble – with 13 bosses losing their jobs in the Premier League this season: “I will tell you the secret, we win games. If we don’t win games I would be sacked. It’s not because my hair is better than the other ones. I’m not sacked because we win a lot of games.”

City head into a meeting with Southampton sat eight points adrift of leaders Arsenal, with Guardiola saying of the Blues’ bid to successfully defend their English top-flight crown: “If we drop points Arsenal will be champions in advance, if we win, win, win, we might be champions at the end of the season. We are used to it, it’s not a problem.”