Man City: Erling Haaland injury update emerges before Brentford clash

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By Danny Rust

Published Nov 11, 2022

An injury update has emerged on Manchester City striker Erling Haaland ahead of Pep Guardiola's side going head-to-head with Brentford at the Etihad Stadium.

DORTMUND, GERMANY - OCTOBER 25: Erling Haaland of Manchester City in action during the UEFA Champions League group G match between Borussia Dortmund and Manchester City at Signal Iduna Park on October 25, 2022 in Dortmund, Germany. (Photo by Matthias Hangst/Getty Images)

Manchester City are expected to start Erling Haaland when Brentford head to the Etihad Stadium on Saturday, according to journalist Dean Jones.

The Citizens are currently second in the Premier League, but bettering Arsenal's result against Wolverhampton Wanderers would result in them going into the World Cup break sitting top of the standings.

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What's the latest news involving Haaland?

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola revealed earlier this week that Haaland has not fully recovered after suffering ligament damage in his foot.

It resulted in the frontman being an unused substitute during his side's Carabao Cup third round win over Chelsea on Wednesday.

But that came just a matter of days after Haaland climbed off the bench and grabbed a stoppage time winner for 10-man Manchester City against Fulham from the penalty spot.

The 22-year-old suffered a foot problem during the Champions League group stage clash with former employers Borussia Dortmund last month and had to be withdrawn having also struggled to overcome a fever.

Haaland has failed to return to full fitness and, as a result, he has not been named in a Premier League starting line-up since the Citizens saw off Brighton & Hove Albion on October 22.

What has Dean Jones said about Haaland?

Jones would be shocked if Haaland is not reinstated to Manchester City's first XI when they go toe-to-toe with Thomas Frank's Brentford this weekend.

The journalist feels Norway's failure to qualify for the World Cup means Guardiola will have no qualms over throwing the frontman back into the action.

Jones told GIVEMESPORT: "I'd be very surprised if Haaland didn't start at the weekend.

"Brentford will be hoping that he's given an even longer rest, but it feels like a game in which they'll just let him off the leash.

"Unless there's a new problem between now and the weekend, I think that'll probably be the case."

How has Haaland performed so far this season?

Haaland has been in sensational form since completing his £51million move from Dortmund in the summer and there is no doubt that the Brentford backline will be in for a tough afternoon if he is passed fit.

He has already racked up 23 goals - plus a further three assists - in 17 appearances, registering three hat-tricks along the way.

It has been almost impossible for Premier League defenders to keep him quiet, with Haaland finding the back of the net every 53 minutes and unleashing 4.3 shots per game.

The former Red Bull Salzburg man has been Manchester City's top performer this season, boasting an average match rating of 8.01, so it is clear that his return to the starting line-up would be a major boost.

Haaland has made 199 appearances during his senior club career, so he would reach a milestone by featuring against Brentford.

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