Man City's title push starts now! Erling Haaland set to return for Burnley clash after almost two months out injured, Pep Guardiola confirms

Haaland has not played for City since fracturing his foot during a 1-0 loss to Aston Villa on December 6, with an extensive rehab programme followed while his team-mates continued plugging away across domestic and European fronts. The Norwegian had started all 15 of City's Premier League games before his injury, and is now set to grace Guardiola's lineup again when the reigning champions host Burnley in midweek.

“Apparently he will be selected, yeah. The first time he’s back,” Guardiola told reporters. Haaland's return will come as a huge boost to City, who are currently trailing Liverpool by five points in the title race - albeit having played one game less.

City have won five of the last six titles on offer in the English top-flight, having developed the useful habit of saving their best performances for the business end of the season. Guardiola also recently welcomed back star playmaker Kevin De Bruyne, who struck up a brilliant partnership with Haaland during City's run to the treble in 2022-23, and they could make the difference again down the finishing stretch.

Haaland couldn't have returned at a better time, with City set to play seven games across the Premier League, Champions League and FA Cup in February. After the Burnley clash, Guardiola will start preparing his side for a tricky away fixture against Brentford, who have been boosted by the return of their own talismanic frontman Ivan Toney following his eight-month ban for breaching betting rules.