Man City receive huge injury boost as Pep Guardiola confirms Erling Haaland 'ready' to return | OneFootball

The Norwegian was dealing with back pain last week

Pep Guardiola has confirmed that Erling Haaland is available for selection as Man City prepare to face Burnley.

The prolific Norwegian striker was substituted after 76 minutes as City drew 1-1 with Arsenal last weekend, with Guardiola later confirming he was dealing with back pain.

He then missed a midweek Carabao Cup win over Huddersfield, but will be back in contention as Burnley visit the Etihad on Saturday.

His return is a significant boost for City. Haaland has been in fantastic form this season, scoring six goals in five Premier League appearances and hitting five in one match for Norway earlier this month.

Guardiola added that Mateo Kovacic was nearing a return. The Croatian has not appeared since last season after undergoing surgery on an Achilles injury.

He returned to training this week and could be involved against Burnley.

“[It would help] a lot to have Kova back. It’s a long injury, surgery, but he is getting ready. He is not fully ready but step-by-step.”

Should Kovacic return on Saturday, he will have his work cut out for him. Burnley’s high-pressing defence has caused problems for both Tottenham and Liverpool.

Guardiola is wary of Clarets boss Scott Parker’s tactics: “He (Scott Parker) didn’t do it against Spurs and he did it against Liverpool. He adapts.

“There are moments to do high pressing and moments to do low block.

“We have done it for 10 years so this is the way when a team is better to read the situations that opponents offer on the table and take the solution

“At the beginning of the season everyone is so brave. As it goes forward teams see the schedule and the table, but we talk every day about what can maybe happen.

“In the past we were maybe more sure. We will see tomorrow and have to adapt.”