Erling Haaland injury latest for Real Madrid vs Man City as Pep Guardiola provides update

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Manchester City injury latest ahead of Real Madrid Champions League tie

Erling Haaland missed Manchester City's FA Cup win over Newcastle United on Saturday night, but Pep Guardiola played down any suggestion that the striker is a doubt for the Champions League trip to Real Madrid on Wednesday.

The striker didn't travel to St James' Park having missed the Premier League win over Leeds United last weekend. He did feature against Nottingham Forest in midweek but the decision was taken not to risk him in the north east.

Guardiola said he always planned to rest Haaland for the cup clash and the Norwegian is being managed ahead of a gruelling few weeks that also includes the Carabao Cup final against Arsenal at Wembley later this month. Here's the City injury latest.

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Erling Haaland

Injury: Knock

Haaland was left out of City's squad for the cup tie at Newcastle but Guardiola insisted the striker was never likely to feature as the Blues manage his minutes. “I was not planning to play him,” Guardiola said. “I would prefer [him to have] good training sessions than to travel and play just 10-15 minutes.

Potential return date: Real Madrid (A) Wednesday

Mateo Kovacic

Injury: Ankle

The Croat has barely featured this season having required a second surgery on a problem that was first an issue at the end of last tern. The midfielder is back in training but is not yet ready to return to action.

"Finally he’s back training for the last three or four training sessions,” said Guardiola this week. “Still, his condition needs time. But the most important after second surgery in his ankle is much better than the first one. Maybe he can give us good quality until the end of the season.”

Potential return date: April

Josko Gvardiol

Injury: Leg

Gvardiol fractured his leg in the home draw with Chelsea in January and is in a race against time to be fit again this season. “I hope so. I don’t know when," was Guardiola's verdict this week.

Potential return date: May

Rico Lewis

Injury: Ankle

He has missed the last three matches with an ankle issue but it is not a long term problem. Guardiola, speaking ahead of the Newcastle game, said: “Rico has a problem with a twist in the ankle. Little bit swollen but is edging to be back.

Potential return date: West Ham (A) March 14