Haaland out until end of January – Pep Guardiola

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola confirmed Erling Haaland will be out until the end of January.

The prolific Norwegian striker has been sidelined by a foot injury for City’s previous eight games, including their victory in the Club World Cup in Saudi Arabia.

City were hoping to welcome the 23-year-old back early in the new year, but the problem has proven more difficult than anticipated, and the player has yet to resume full training.

The goal currently is that he will be allowed to return after Saturday’s game at Newcastle, as the club will go to Abu Dhabi for a warm-weather training camp without a game next weekend.

“Yes, (he’s had) a little bit of disturbing problems in his feet. It’s fine but the doctors decided to stop for one week and maybe restart in Abu Dhabi,” the Spanish manager said.

“Hopefully at the end of this month, he’ll be ready. It was a little bit more than we expected in the beginning.

“It’s the bone. It needs time. With every injury, you can do whatever you want but it’s a question of time.”

Haaland scored 52 goals in his first season with City last season and has already scored 19 this campaign.