'He could almost not walk' - Man City taking Erling Haaland injury 'day by day' as Pep Guardiola provides fitness update after seeing star striker sit out crucial win at Luton Town

Haaland was unable to travel with City to Kenilworth Road after hurting his foot during the 1-0 defeat at Aston Villa on Wednesday. The Norwegian had a bone stress reaction in his foot and was in a lot of pain in the aftermath of the 1-0 loss at Villa Park.

"The day after Villa he could almost not walk properly," Guardiola told a press conference, according to journalist Sam Lee. "Yesterday I spoke to him 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 is not set for an extended period on the touchline, however, and Guardiola said he could return next week or in time for the Club World Cup. "It's not a fracture, just a stress on the bone, hopefully can be ready against Crystal Palace, if not then Saudi Arabia," added the coach. Guardiola also said that Jeremy Doku would return in around two weeks from the muscular injury he sustained against Tottenham.

Haaland had started every Premier League game for City before he sustained the injury. He is still the top scorer in the league with 14 goals and is joint-top scorer in the Champions League with five strikes.

City steadied themselves after a winless run of four matches by beating Luton 2-1 and have a comfortable set of fixtures to see out the new year, hosting Sheffield United and Crystal Palace and visiting Everton, as well as going to the Club World Cup in Saudi Arabia.