Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has confirmed Erling Haaland will return from injury for Saturday’s Premier League clash at Southampton.
Haaland missed the 4-1 victory against Liverpool last time out with a groin problem but the Norwegian striker is back and has been training ‘really good’.
The 22-year-old has scored 28 times across 26 top-flight games so far this season and City have just 10 matches left as they look to reduce Arsenal’s lead at the top.
The Gunners are eight points clear of second-placed City, having played a game more, as they attempt to lift their first Premier League trophy since 2004.
City have won four of the last five top-flight titles and host Arsenal on April 26 but Guardiola has fired a warning to his players ahead of the trip to St Mary’s.
‘If we drop points Arsenal will be champions in advance,’ Guardiola said on Friday. ‘If we win, win, win, we might be champions at the end of the season.’
Asked if there was an advantage with City playing before Arsenal this weekend – who travel to Liverpool on Sunday – Guardiola added: ‘I don’t think so.
‘When we had [our] title race with Liverpool we sometimes played before, sometimes later. We have to win our games.’
Haaland’s return is a huge boost for City and quizzed about his fitness Guardiola said: ‘He trained the last two days really good, he will be ready.’
Guardiola is expecting a tough game against Southampton, who are bottom of the league and are in a battle to avoid relegation.
‘Already, they’ve played a few games with the manager so the patterns are quite clear,’ he added.
‘Now every team is playing for something, it’s the same importance to fight for the Premier League as it is to stay in the Premier League.
‘That’s why every game has its own characteristics and you have to be ready, because Southampton have always been so tough.’
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