Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has revealed that Erling Braut Haaland is feeling 'a little better' and will be assessed to see if he can start in Saturday's Premier League clash against Brentford.
The Norwegian missed two successive games against Leicester City and Sevilla after sustaining a ligament injury in his foot against former club Borussia Dortmund last month.
Haaland then came off the bench to score a dramatic 95th-minute winning penalty in the 2-1 victory against Fulham last weekend, increasing his goal tally in the Premier League to 18 after just 12 appearances.
However, Haaland was an unused substitute in the 2-0 EFL Cup third-round win against Chelsea on Wednesday, with Guardiola stating before kickoff that the striker's foot injury is 'still not perfect'.
Asked at a press conference on Friday about whether Haaland is fit to start against Brentford, Guardiola said: "We will see. After today's training, we will see."
The Spaniard was then asked whether the 22-year-old is feeling better, and he replied: "A little bit."
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Elsewhere, Guardiola has confirmed that Kyle Walker will miss Saturday's fixture as he continues to recover from groin surgery, while England teammate Kalvin Phillips – who came off the bench in the second half against Chelsea – is available for selection after recovering from a shoulder injury.
Both Walker and Phillips have been included in Gareth Southgate's 26-man squad for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, but only the latter will be in contention to get minutes under his belt against Brentford.
"Kalvin you saw in the last game. He is ready – Kyle, not yet," Guardiola added. "It's a decision for Kyle and Southgate (the decision to select him for the World Cup) – 100% their decision. I am not involved. After Saturday, the players belong to the national teams. I am not worried."
In addition, Man City centre-back Aymeric Laporte was replaced in the final 10 minutes against Chelsea as a precaution after picking up a knock, but the Spaniard will be available for selection on Saturday.
The Citizens head into their encounter with the Bees after putting together an impressive 16-game unbeaten run at the Etihad Stadium across all competitions, including 11 successive Premier League home wins.
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Guardiola is keen to end on a high before the six-week World Cup break, but he is aware that Thomas Frank's side also want to finish strongly and expects a tough challenge this weekend.
On Brentford, Guardiola said: "Same manager, same style. They change a little bit the shape this season. I remember how tough it was meeting here and away. It will quite similar.
"It's an early kickoff, which is always a little bit more complicated. It's the last game before the stop – we have to do our game and do our job.
"One thing is to know exactly what will happen. I cannot answer you [on that]. But always I am positive. But, if it's not positive, we will come back and try to be better.
"Brentford thinks the same – to finish in the best way possible before the World Cup break. It is no different for them."
City will climb to the top of the Premier League if they beat Brentford, but current leaders Arsenal will return to the summit if they secure maximum points against Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday night.
Oliver Thomas
