Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has revealed that Erling Haaland will be assessed ahead of Tuesday's Champions League encounter with Young Boys at the Etihad Stadium.
The Norwegian striker has emerged as an injury doubt after he was withdrawn at half time in City's 6-1 Premier League win over Bournemouth last weekend with an ankle problem.
Haaland was unable to get his name on the scoresheet as the Citizens raced into a three-goal lead before the striker gingerly walked down the tunnel after the half-time whistle blew.
Man City's No.9 was replaced by Phil Foden for the second half and Guardiola revealed after the match that he "didn't want to take risks" with the striker as he "didn't feel comfortable".
Guardiola has since confirmed that he has held positive conversations with Haaland about his fitness, but a decision over his availability for City's midweek clash with Young Boys will be made after a training session on Monday afternoon.
Discussing Haaland's fitness at a press conference on Monday, Guardiola said: "I can't [give an update]. We train this afternoon, so I don't know.
"I speak with the doctor and him. He told me he felt better, but I don't know."
Asked if he will consider resting Haaland against Young Boys, Guardiola said: "I will see [if he plays] Tuesday or Sunday (against Chelsea in the Premier League), he will have a lot of games to cover."
The potential absence of Haaland, who has scored 13 goals in 16 games so far this season including a brace in a 3-1 win over Young Boys in the reverse fixture two weeks ago, would see Julian Alvarez move into the centre-forward position on Tuesday.
"Tomorrow I will listen to the doctor. If [Haaland] says he doesn't have pain, I will consider letting him play," Guardiola added. "There are lots of days to recover.
"Right now, if Erling doesn't play, Julian is going to play there."
Alvarez has primarily operated as a shadow striker behind Haaland and has excelled as arguably one of Man City's best performers so far this season, scoring seven goals and registering five assists in 17 appearances across all competitions.
Man City currently sit top of Group G in the Champions League with a maximum nine points from their first three games, and they require just one more point to secure their place in the last 16.
Nevertheless, Guardiola has insisted that he does not intend to make widespread changes to his starting lineup as he is keen to finish top of the group ahead of Young Boys, RB Leipzig and Red Star Belgrade.
"No (we will not rotate), we will try to finish first," said Guardiola. "That definitively is better. One game at a time. Tomorrow we have Young Boys then we go to Chelsea.
"Of course we have one or two chances if we don't qualify tomorrow. If we have the chance (to qualify) in front of our people we have to do it."
"I have a lot of respect for [Young Boys]," Guardiola continued. "Hopefully we will have the right energy. Normally at home we play well, have good spirit and tone. Tomorrow hopefully we can be patient. They do really well with the strikers and the wingers.
"They [have] tall strikers, it's tough to beat them in those positions. We have to adapt quick to do our process and be aggressive in the final third. When we have the chance to qualify, we have to take it."
Man City will be confident of success on Tuesday as they currently boast a club-record 22-game winning run at the Etihad Stadium across all competitions. body check tags ::
