Erling Haaland won’t play for Manchester City again this year despite returning to training.
The Norwegian has been struggling with a foot injury ahead of City’s final game of 2023 against bottom-of-the-table Sheffield United.
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Haaland has not played since sustaining a stress issue in his foot during the 1-0 defeat to Aston Villa three weeks ago.
The striker did travel with the rest of the squad to Saudi Arabia for the Club World Cup, but a little-known FIFA rule meant he didn’t play a single minute as City claimed another trophy.
And he was absent for the sixth game in a row when the treble winners came from behind to beat Everton in midweek.
Is Haaland fit to play this weekend?
Haaland has missed out on the City squad to face the Blades.
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Before the match at Goodison Park, Pep Guardiola issued an update on Haaland’s fitness, telling Amazon Prime: “Still, he’s not with the team.
“He feels better with his bone [in his foot] but he hasn’t had one training session with us.
“Unfortunately, December is so congested with so many games. January is a bit less congested. Hopefully, in January, he can come back with us.”
Speaking about Haaland on Friday, Guardiola added: “Nothing has changed from the last games. The same are injured, plus John Stones.”
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Man City vs Sheffield United: talkSPORT coverage
This Premier League clash will take place on Saturday, December 30.
Kick-off at the Etihad Stadium is scheduled for 3pm.
The game will not be broadcast live on TV in the UK due to the 3pm blackout rule.
talkSPORT will have EXCLUSIVE live coverage of the game presented by Adrian Durham.
Commentary will come from Ian Danter and former England defender Micky Gray.