Haaland injury update: Guardiola “hopes” to have Haaland back in January

Haaland has missed Man City’s last six matches due to an ankle injury he suffered on international duty with Norway. 

Pep Guardiola has finally pulled back the curtain and revealed the extent of Erling Haaland’s injury. The Manchester City striker has missed his club’s last six matches across all competitions. Guardiola says he will be out even longer.  
 
According to Guardiola, Haaland’s still struggling to manage the pain from his injury. The Norwegian will not play until the pain becomes manageable or goes away. Guardiola says he hopes to have Haaland back before the end of January.  

Haaland injury status

Man City manager Pep Guardiola briefed the press after his side’s victory against Everton at Goodison Park this week. He spoke at length about the many injuries his side is suffering right now. Most importantly, he gave us an update on his star striker.  
 
“[Haaland] is training alone but he is not training with the team," Guardiola said to reporters at Goodison Park in Liverpool. "Kevin [De Bruyne] is training with the team, but Erling is not yet. It is a question of when the pain will disappear.” 
 
Guardiola went into further detail, revealing the full extent of Haaland’s injury. “We hope he will be back in January, but a stress on the bone is so painful. He is not like a guy like Phil Foden with smaller skin. Erling is huge.” 
 
“He will be back and play. But it is up to the doctors. The doctors come every morning and say this player is available and this is not,” said Guardiola.  

Man City’s other injuries 

Kevin De Bruyne and John Stones are also injury doubts for Man CIty. De Bruyne, Man City’s club captain, has been out for months with a hamstring injury he suffered in the first match of the season against Burnley.  
 
Guardiola says De Bruyne is practically ready to return now. “Yeah he is close," the Man City manager revealed. “Today he had fatigue. We have to be careful. He is training with us and he is so positive. Soon he will be back. "I would love [De Bruyne] to play the next game or [against] Huddersfield, but it is important to keep fit for a long time." 
 
Stones suffered an injury against Everton. Man City are still waiting to run some tests on the Englishman before they will say when he can return.  

Man City title challenge 

In any other year, we would say that Man City could cope with injuries to their best player. This year though, the Cityzens will need everything they can get.  
 
Right now, City are five points behind Liverpool, who are at the top of the table. Arsenal and Aston Villa are also ahead of them, The Cityzens have a game in hand over the rest of contenders.  

Without Haaland, Man City’s title chances take a major hit. The betting sites still have them as favourites, but a few more bad results without their big man up top could change things. City’s next match is against Sheffield United, followed by Newcastle, Burnley, and Brentford.