Cautious Pep Guardiola delivers injury update on Erling Haaland as the Man City talisman returns to team training

• Manchester City striker Erling Haaland has re-joined team training after injury 
• Pep Guardiola is cautious over the striker’s return ahead of City’s summer tour
• LISTEN NOW: It’s All Kicking Off! Ian Ladyman reveals his pick for best goalkeeper this season – and it’s NOT Alisson Becker 

By JACK GAUGHAN

Pep Guardiola warned that Manchester City have to tread carefully with Erling Haaland’s ankle injury amid fears of the lasting damage a shortened summer could inflict on the squad.

Haaland is closing in on a return after missing the last month and Guardiola suggested the Norwegian has a chance of making the bench for tonight’s clash against Wolves.

But City are mindful of exacerbating the issue and concerned by their scheduling over the summer – which could leave them with just 27 days between campaigns.

‘Erling’s getting better,’ Guardiola said. ‘The injury is not easy. Syndesmosis is a tricky, tricky injury but he’s making partial training. On Wednesday he was almost fully training, he’s getting better.

‘Hopefully in the next games he can be there. The last game, for example, against Nottingham Forest he said “I’m not ready”.

‘I think he will be able to play before the Club World Cup. Now is a period where you have to be certain.

Manchester City’s top scorer Erling Haaland returned to full training on Wednesday afternoon

Haaland has been missing for a month after sustaining an ankle injury away at Bournemouth 

Haaland was spotted leaving the Vitality Stadium with a protective boot on after the game

‘If we had qualified [for the Champions League] and there is nothing to play for after that, then you can do things. 

‘But every game is a final now. We cannot be distracted by anything else.’

Club staff are, however, looking ahead to the summer and potential problems ahead of next season.

Victory over Forest at Wembley secured a third consecutive FA Cup final place – and beating Crystal Palace on May 17 would mean another Community Shield appearance.

The curtain-raiser is on August 9, a week before the Premier League returns, and less than four weeks after the end of City’s defence of the Club World Cup in America.

The final of FIFA’s expanded tournament falls on July 13. Progression to that would likely have a major impact on City’s start to the 2025-26 campaign, with players mandated by law to enjoy three weeks rest in the summer.

Guardiola is renowned for allowing his stars longer periods for holidays and may need to devise different plans for players based on their individual requirements.

‘I’d like to give weeks off but we cannot give it to them,’ Guardiola added. ‘I don’t know [what to do].

Pep Guardiola admitted that he ‘doesn’t know’ how City will navigate a short pre-season break

Man City staff are looking ahead to the summer and potential problems ahead of next season 

‘During the season we’ve tried to give as many days off as possible. To be honest, I don’t know because we need rest that we cannot give them.

‘The players need to disconnect mentally and physically but the schedule is the schedule.’

:
Cautious Pep Guardiola delivers injury update on Erling Haaland as the Man City talisman returns to team training

***
Read more at DailyMail.co.uk