Manchester City forward Erling Haaland is poised to participate in the match against Burnley on Wednesday night, marking his return after an absence of almost two months due to a foot injury.
The 23-year-old has been sidelined since City's 1-0 loss to Aston Villa on December 6. Although he played the entire 90 minutes in that match, he experienced discomfort in his foot afterwards.
The striker was pictured taking part in first-team training during the Premier League champions' warm weather training camp in Abu Dhabi earlier this month, and will now make his comeback against the Clarets at the Etihad Stadium.
"For the first time he is back," said boss Pep Guardiola, who refused to say whether the Norway international would start the match.
“When we have all the squad, we are stronger, definitely, and Erling is an important player for us. He has been two months out, it is a long time, but he feels good. We have to train this afternoon but apparently tomorrow he will be with all of us.”
Haaland's absence marks his first significant lay-off since joining City. In his remarkable debut campaign with the club last season, he scored 52 goals. This term, he had already netted 19 times before sustaining the injury.
His return coincides with the comeback of several key players for the treble winners from last season. Midfielder Kevin de Bruyne, who recently mentioned to The National that his injury, suffered in the reverse fixture against Burnley on the opening day, was a blessing in disguise, has swiftly returned to form following his own spell out.
Guardiola has also confirmed that defenders Manuel Akanji and John Stones will be available after recovering from injuries, putting the squad close to full strength as they aim to surpass Liverpool at the top of the table and defend their league title.
"The most important news is almost all of the squad is fit. We don't have injuries. Manu [Akanji] is back, he's training well and doesn't feel his knee. It's the same with John [Stones] as well.
"The important part of season starts now. [We have the] FA Cup, the Champions League is around the corner and of course the Premier League – it’s important that we have everyone available."
Guardiola was once again asked about Jurgen Klopp's decision to leave Liverpool and whether he, too, has thoughts about his own future.
But he said: "I have everything that a manager could dream [of], how they support me. We've changed a lot of players in seven years but they've been fantastic, incredibly supportive, and it's a good environment.
"I still feel good and, of course, one day it is going to finish, but I don't think about that right now."
On Wednesday, former club captain Vincent Kompany will return to the Etihad Stadium as manager of relegation-threatened Burnley. His side lie five points from safety but the former Belgium centre-back says his players will be brave against the "best team in the world".
"They're a great side, they've got top players and a top manager, so the combination of that makes them very difficult to play against," said Kompany.
"I try to look at it this way, there's not many times you get the opportunity to play against what's currently maybe the best team in the world, and whatever they bring we have to try to make a game out of it and show our best side. That's the ambition."
