Man City wait on Erling Haaland as John Stones faces lay-off
The striker was an unused substitute against Real Madrid while defender Stones’ thigh injury may require surgery.
Erling Haaland remains a doubt for Manchester City’s clash with Liverpool on Sunday while defender John Stones is facing another lengthy lay-off.
Haaland missed City’s Champions League defeat by Real Madrid in midweek after hurting his knee in the closing stages of the encounter with Newcastle last Saturday.
The club had been hopeful the Norwegian could feature, and scans have not indicated any damage, but Haaland felt pain on the day of the game and consequently remained on the bench.
Manager Pep Guardiola said on Friday he was unsure whether the 24-year-old will be fit as the champions host Premier League leaders Liverpool at the Etihad Stadium this weekend.
“Maybe, but I don’t know yet,” said Guardiola when asked at his pre-match press conference. “Tomorrow we will know it. We will train today and he will test, but I don’t know.”
Haaland has scored 27 goals in all competitions this season but new signing Omar Marmoush last week netted a hat-trick against Newcastle, suggesting City do now have other good attacking options.
Guardiola said: “It is better to have Erling on the pitch than not have him, obviously, and with Erling we are in the position we are right now.
“Everybody is responsible for the good things and the bad things in the team, but of course with Erling we are stronger.”
Stones, meanwhile, could be out for a prolonged spell after suffering a thigh injury in the opening minutes of the loss at the Bernabeu Stadium on Wednesday.
It is the latest setback in what has been a frustrating campaign for the England centre-back, having made just 20 appearances.
Guardiola said: “He is injured, it is a difficult one and in the next hours or days we will know if he needs surgery or not.”
Stones joins fellow defender Manuel Akanji and midfielder Rodri on the long-term casualty list.
