As Manchester City gears up to face Newcastle, the absence of star striker Erling Haaland persists, extending to a challenging ninth game for Pep Guardiola’s side.
The fixture at St James Park presents City with an opportunity to narrow the gap with league leaders Liverpool to a mere two points, provided they secure a victory.
Guardiola faces additional challenges with the unavailability of key players. Defensive stalwart John Stones will be missing from the lineup, adding to the team’s defensive concerns. The manager is also keeping a watchful eye on the fitness of Jack Grealish,
who has been grappling with an illness throughout the week. Guardiola expressed optimism about Grealish’s potential return, stating, “Hopefully today he’s back, [but] Erling is out, and John are out.”
In more positive news for City, Kevin De Bruyne made a return to first-team action during the FA Cup triumph over Huddersfield, contributing with an assist. Despite his impactful performance, De Bruyne himself downplayed expectations of an immediate return to the starting XI.
Guardiola, on the other hand, conveyed his satisfaction with De Bruyne’s recent displays, stating, “What I saw yesterday he looks really good and dynamic. The minutes he played were really good, better than the training session before the Huddersfield game when he was still figuring out who he is.”
The Belgian midfielder, who has been recovering from a five-month injury layoff, acknowledged the natural ebb and flow in his training sessions. Guardiola remains optimistic about De Bruyne’s progression, especially with a game on the horizon and a subsequent training stint in Abu Dhabi. The manager anticipates that this period will aid the player’s development over the coming months.
While City navigates challenges on the injury and illness fronts, the potential return of De Bruyne injects a positive note into the team’s dynamics. Guardiola, known for meticulous planning, will need to strategize effectively to compensate for the absence of Haaland and Stones.
The quest to secure three points against Newcastle becomes crucial in the context of the title race, and Guardiola will rely on the depth of his squad to overcome these hurdles and stay competitive in the Premier League.
