Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola confirms Erling Haaland will miss Newcastle clash, Kevin De Bruyne expected to play
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Published 12/01/2024 at 19:35 GMT
Erling Haaland will miss a ninth straight game for Manchester City after Pep Guardiola ruled the forward out of Saturday’s match against Newcastle United, which will be shown live on TNT Sports. Haaland, who has scored 19 goals so far this campaign, is nursing a foot injury. The City boss also confirmed John Stones will miss the trip to the north east, while Kevin De Bruyne is expected to feature.
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - JANUARY 07: Erling Haaland of Manchester City looks on during the Emirates FA Cup Third Round match between Manchester City and Huddersfield Town at Etihad Stadium on January 07, 2024 in Manchester, England. (Photo by James Gill - Da
Image credit: Eurosport
Erling Haaland will not feature in Manchester City’s trip to Newcastle United on Saturday, Pep Guardiola has confirmed, while Kevin De Bruyne is expected to return to Premier League action.
The Norwegian, who has scored 19 goals so far this campaign despite not playing since December 6, is set to miss a ninth-straight match with a foot injury.
Guardiola’s side travel to St James’ Park to play Newcastle United on Saturday, live on TNT Sports and discovery+, as they look to continue their improved league form.
As well as Haaland’s absence, City are also without defender John Stones, who is nursing an ankle injury.
However, in some good news for City, Kevin De Bruyne is expected to be available after recently returning from a lengthy absence.
Guardiola confirmed De Bruyne is available for selection after he featured off the bench in the club’s thumping FA Cup victory over Huddersfield.
“What I saw yesterday he looks really good and dynamic,” Guardiola said on De Bruyne’s form in training.
“The minutes he played were really good, better than the training sessions before the Huddersfield game when he was a little bit not what he is.
“But that’s normal when you come from five months of injury. He had highs and lows in the training sessions, but that is completely normal. The important thing is he is getting better.”
Guardiola also hopes Jack Grealish will be available again after illness.
“Jack has been sick,” he said. “Hopefully today he’s back. Erling is out and John is out.”
City experienced a rare patch of poor form in November and early December where they suffered a four-game winless run.
Since defeat to Aston Villa early in December, City have beaten Luton Town, Everton, Sheffield United and moved up to third in the Premier League table, five points off leaders Liverpool with a game in hand.
Asked whether his side can win a record fourth consecutive league title, Guardiola remained confident.
“Right now, yeah,” the Spaniard said. “How many points left? 18 or 19 games, so obviously mathematically possible.
“Is it realistic? At the moment, it’s far away so I don’t know. I will answer this question when we are six, seven games out.”
Newcastle stand in their way next, and the Magpies have a relatively strong record at home so far this season despite losing to a resurgent Nottingham Forest in the north east recently.
The loss to Nuno Espirito Santo’s side was the second of three straight defeats, with their victory in the FA Cup against Sunderland on Saturday coming at the perfect time to end the barren run.
Eddie Howe’s side will be looking to utilise the momentum from their Tyne-Wear derby victory in a bid to turn their Premier League form around after slipping to ninth in the table.
However, Newcastle have been struck with an injury crisis of their own, with Joelinton the latest to be ruled out.
How to watch Newcastle United v Manchester City?
TNT Sports is available across all major TV platforms, offering a line-up of up to four TV channels (TNT Sports 1, TNT Sports 2, TNT Sports 3, TNT Sports 4), and up to six digital or red-button channels (TNT Sports 5 to 10), and TNT Sports Ultimate plus TNT Sports Box Office HD.
Newcastle United v Manchester City will be live on TNT Sports 1 and ultimate with coverage from 16:45 on Saturday, January 13 ahead of kick-off at 17:30.
You can subscribe to TNT Sports through discovery+, BT, EE, Sky, and Virgin Media.
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