Haaland Set To Return Against Burnley As Man City’s Title Push Start

Erling Haaland will be included in the Manchester City squad for Wednesday night’s Premier League match against Burnley, Pep Guardiola confirmed.

Following a lengthy rehabilitation programme, Haaland has not appeared in a City game since breaking his foot during a 1-0 loss to Aston Villa on December 6. Meanwhile, his teammates have been working hard on both the domestic and European fronts. When the defending champions play Burnley in midweek, the Norwegian, who had started all 15 of City’s Premier League games prior to his injury, is expected to return to Guardiola’s starting lineup.

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“Apparently he will be selected, yeah. The first time he’s back,” Guardiola told reporters. Haaland’s return will come as a huge boost to City, who are currently trailing Liverpool by five points in the title race – albeit having played one game less.

City have won five of the last six titles on offer in the English top-flight, having developed the useful habit of saving their best performances for the business end of the season. Guardiola also recently welcomed back star playmaker Kevin De Bruyne, who struck up a brilliant partnership with Haaland during City’s run to the treble in 2022-23, and they could make the difference again down the finishing stretch.

Haaland’s comeback couldn’t come at a better time, as City will play seven games in February in the FA Cup, Champions League, and Premier League. Following the match against Burnley, Guardiola will begin getting his team ready for a challenging road match against Brentford, who have gained momentum with the return of their own lucky striker Ivan Toney after an eight-month suspension for breaking betting regulations.