Pep Guardiola has revealed when he hopes to have Erling Haaland back for Manchester City and the extent of the star forward's injury.
Haaland, who has fired blank in his last two Premier League matches against Tottenham and Aston Villa, was unavailable for selection against Luton Town on Sunday.
He didn't take part in his side's come-from-behind victory against Luton as Julian Alvarez deputised up front.
In his absence, Bernardo Silva and Jack Grealish scored as the Blues won their first league match since November 4.
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Guardiola, though, hopes to be able to call upon the Norwegian for when Man City travel to Saudi Arabia for the Club World Cup.
Last season's treble winners begin their Club World Cup campaign on December 19.
Man City face either Club Leon or Urawa Red Diamonds, with the Spaniard hoping to have Haaland in his squad.
He also said the 23-year-old has a stress-related injury - not a fracture.
That means Haaland will miss Man City's final Champions League group stage game against Red Star Belgrade and the club's home league fixture against Crystal Palace next weekend.
Speaking after his side's 2-1 victory at Kenilworth Road, Guardiola said: "The day after Villa, he could almost not walk properly. Yesterday I spoke to him, [he was] saying, 'I feel much better, I can walk, I have no pain'.
"That’s why we have to see how he is day by day."
Haaland, who scored a staggering 52 goals last season, has been in prolific form this campaign, too.
He has bagged an impressive 19 goals in all competitions, including 14 in 15 league games.
Guardiola also provided an update on Jeremy Doku, who also missed the game against Luton through injury.
According to the Man City boss, the Belgium winger could be ready in "maybe one week, two weeks" and he has a muscular problem that is "not a big, big issue."
Topics: Manchester City, Pep Guardiola, Erling Haaland, Football
Nasir Jabbar