Erling Haaland injury latest as Man City get major boost in Champions League race | OneFootball

Haaland returned to the Man City squad against Wolves on Friday night but was an unused substitute in the 1-0 win

Unused substitute: Erling Haaland

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Erling Haaland is ready to return for the season run-in to boost Manchester City's hopes of securing Champions League football and lifting the FA Cup.

The striker missed all of April after suffering an ankle injury in the 2-1 FA Cup win over Bournemouth on March 30, but was an unused substitute in Friday's 1-0 Premier League victory over Wolves.

Instead, Guardiola turned to Phil Foden, James McAtee and Rico Lewis in a triple change to help City see out the game after Kevin De Bruyne gave his side a first-half lead.

"Yeah, I thought about (bringing Haaland on) but decided for energy, in the last moments when Phil and Macca and Rico Lewis come on it was another rhythm in terms of pressing," Guardiola said.

"I think we miss a bit today the intensity up front with Gundo (Ilkay Gundogan), with Kevin (De Bruyne), the people up front were not as intense as normally we are. But it's normal for the quality they have and the age they have.

"I was thinking (about using Haaland) but it was just two training sessions with us and in that moment was a little bit (difficult) so I decided for the other type of players."

City remain locked in a tight battle for a top-five finish.

They have one more league game, away to Southampton next weekend, before facing Crystal Palace in the FA Cup final on May 17. A home match against Bournemouth follows before a trip to Fulham on the final day.