Pep Guardiola confirms when he thinks Erling Haaland can return for Man City

Pep Guardiola says Erling Haaland is desperate to return from his ankle injury for before the Final. Haaland is back training after being crocked in the FA Cup quarter-final win over and Friday night’s clash with will probably come too soon for him.

Guardiola says the Norway hotshot is keen to face in the Final on May 17 and pledged not to bring him back before he gets the thumbs up from City’s medical team. “I’m pretty sure all of them want to play in the FA Cup Final,” said the City boss.

“When you reach a final, everyone wants to be involved, but it depends on how they feel and how they recover. Now is a period where you have to be certain. Every game is a final now.

“I need to speak with the doctors and physios. The last game, for example, against Forest he said ‘I’m not ready’. When he feels ready and the doctor says yes…..We will talk after the training session before this game.

“He’s getting better. The injury was for six weeks and now he’s between weeks four and five. The injury is not easy. Syndesmosis is a tricky, tricky injury, but he’s doing partial training.

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“On Wednesday, he was almost fully training, he’s getting better. Hopefully in the next games he can be there.” Guardiola also said he would let the doctor decide when Rodri can return from his anterior cruciate ligament injury.

Rodri has returned to training after suffering the serious injury in September and Guardiola also hopes to have him for the FA Cup Final. City have imploded without him and Guardiola is determined not to rush the Ballon d’Or winner back.

“We’re really pleased that Rodri and Erling are back,” he said. “The moment a doctor says he can start to play minutes, after that he will start to play minutes.”

Guardiola pledged to help fans protesting over admission prices and season tickets availability. Four fans groups have written an open letter to Guardiola and he says he will do what he can.

He even said he might copy Wolves boss Vitor Pereira and have a pint with supporters down the pub. “I’m waiting for the offer,” he smiled. “I like wine, but I would take a beer as well. If I can help the fans, I will help. I’m part of this club from the bottom to the top. I’m manager and I’ll do what I have to do to help the team.”

Fans plan to protest at Friday night's game and Guardiola hopes they do not become distracted from helping the team secure football.

“Come to help us, we need them,” he said. “If the fans want us to play in the Champions League, to try to do what we’ve done, we need them desperately. Come to help us from the first minute.”

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