Huge setback for Man City! Erling Haaland sidelined until end of January as Pep Guardiola reveals true extent of foot injury

The Norwegian striker had returned to training before City's FA Cup opener against Huddersfield but is not yet fit enough to feature in a competitive match. Guardiola had repeatedly insisted that he will not take any risks with the prolific goal-scorer and the manager seems to have stuck to his words, as he is now sidelined for an extended period. Moreover, John Stones also remains unavailable with a foot injury.

Speaking to reporters, Guardiola said: "Erling is out and John are out."

While sharing more details about Haaland's injury, Guardiola said: "It's the bone. It needs time. With every injury you can do whatever you want but it's a question of time. It's fine but the doctors decided to stop for one week and maybe restart in Abu Dhabi. Hopefully, at the end of this month, he'll be ready. It was a little bit more than we expected in the beginning. We need him. Hopefully, he can come back and play the last four or five months without a problem."

However, he "hopes" that Jack Grealish will be "back today" as he recovers from a viral infection:

De Bruyne made his return to competitive action, following a five-month absence, during the FA Cup win over Huddersfield. Although the player feels that he has some distance to go before he can start, Guardiola has a different opinion.

"What I saw yesterday he looks really good and dynamic," he said. "The minutes he played were really good, better than the training session before the Huddersfield game where he was a little bit now what he is.

"It's normal when you come from five months of injury to have highs and lows in training. He is getting better. We have a game, then we will do four or five training sessions in Abu Dhabi and that will help us to be better for the next months."

City have recovered their mojo after a brief slump in form which saw them succumb to three successive Premier League draws against Chelsea, Liverpool, and Tottenham Hotspur. They also went down to Aston Villa on December 6 which saw City drop to fourth in the table. But after the Club World Cup win they have looked menacing which led Guardiola to re-assert his belief that they could win four successive Premier League titles.

"Right now, yeah. How many points are left? 18 or 19 games? We are only five points behind, it is statistically possible," he said.

"We want to make a legacy and dynasty. Is it realistic? At the moment, it's far away so I don't know. We haven't had time mentally to recover from winning the Treble. I think the Club World Cup gave us an opportunity to find a spark. We've won two titles already this season. Right now Liverpool are playing unbelievably, they are back having their best moment in many years."

City have the opportunity to narrow down the gap to just two points at the top of the table if they beat Eddie Howe's Newcastle at St. James' Park. The Magpies are on a dismal run of form having lost three consecutive matches in the league and barring an inspired collective display, things could go further south against a ruthless City.