‘Still not perfect’ - Pep Guardiola’s Erling Haaland injury update ahead of Man City vs Chelsea

Pep Guardiola has described Erling Haaland’s injury situation as ‘not perfect’, ahead of Manchester City’s Carabao Cup clash with Chelsea on Wednesday.

The striker missed two matches due to a football problem but returned to the team on Saturday, coming off the bench in the second half of the Premier League win over Fulham and converting a penalty in injury-time. It was presumed Haaland was fully recovered, but Guardiola explained that the No.9 is still not fully fit.

“He is still not perfect. We will see tomorrow and on Saturday,” Guardiola explained on Tuesday. “He is getting better.

“It’s important the bone [in his foot] is not broken, it’s not damaged, just ligament damage a little. It’s not perfect right now. In one week or 10 days anything can happen.

Asked about Haaland’s call up to the Norway squad for two friendlies next week, Guardiola said: “If he feels good… playing for the national team is important for the players. I never avoid the players when they are going to play for the national team.”

The City manager was also asked about the latest team news for the EFL Cup encounter. “We have not decided because we have training this afternoon and we have time until tomorrow night to prepare to win the game, [get] our performance as good as possible. We have sold out the stadium, this is the approach,” he said.

Guardiola had previously confirmed Kalvin Phillips could make his return to the team from the bench on Wednesday, following a long-term shoulder injury However, the Catalan said Kyle Walker is still not fit to play following recent surgery on his groin.

Quizzed about the chances of both players making Gareth Southgate’s World Cup squad, Guardiola responded: “I cannot answer you. I think they are communicating with the physios, doctors from the England national team. A part of that I cannot answer you, I do not know.”