Pep Guardiola has provided an update on the fitness of Erling Haaland and Kevin De Bruyne, ahead of Manchester City’s FA Cup tie with Huddersfield.
De Bruyne has not featured for the treble winners since the opening weekend of the Premier League campaign due to a hamstring problem, but has returned to first-team training.
Haaland, who is the joint-leading scorer in the Premier League this season, has missed the club’s last four league games with a stress fracture in his foot.
On the fitness of his squad, Guardiola said at his pre-match press conference: “Jeremy [Doku] feels really, really good and Kevin [de Bruyne] as well. And Erling [Haaland] is also a little bit better.
“But in the two or three training sessions they feel good and are improving. I don’t know about Sunday or Newcastle but for the rest they will be ready. John Stones is getting better but he is not training with us.”
Guardiola confirmed that Rodri is currently unavailable due to a family bereavement, while Bernardo Silva, Matheus Nunes and Scott Carson are struggling with illness.
“Four players have problems. Rodri’s grandad passed away so he is away in Madrid. He will not be with us for the next few days. Family is the most important thing.”
Kalvin Phillips, who is expected to leave the club this month, is also unwell. Guardiola refused to provide an update on the England’s midfielder’s future.
“There is no news. The club did not inform me anything about that (Phillips leaving).
“Kalvin could not train the last five days because he was sick. What is going to happen is going to happen. I don’t know the desires of the players. He has been congested and had fever.
“I don’t talk about transfer windows here.”
