Haaland in race for fitness ahead of Tottenham clash

MANCHESTER, England (AP):

ERLING HAALAND will be assessed to see if he has recovered from a knee injury ahead of Manchester City’s Premier League game against Tottenham today.

Haaland missed City’s losses to Real Madrid and Liverpool last week because of the injury.

City manager Pep Guardiola said the Norway striker would be assessed after taking part in training yesterday.

“Tonight, we will know it after training. I hope (he will be available) but I don’t know yet,” he said. “He feels better but the last two games he could not play.”

In video footage, Haaland appeared to be moving comfortably during City’s session.

City have struggled without their leading scorer – going out of the Champions League after a 3-1 loss to Madrid and then losing 2-0 at home against Premier League leaders Liverpool.

Haaland, who has been the league’s leading scorer in the past two seasons, has 27 goals in all competitions this term.

That includes 19 league goals – six behind top scorer Mohamed Salah of Liverpool.

Four-time defending champions City are 20 points adrift of Liverpool, having played a game less. They look set to relinquish their title and faces a battle just to secure a top-four finish and Champions League qualification.

Guardiola’s team are currently fourth on goal difference ahead of Newcastle and just two points ahead of eighth-placed Aston Villa.

Tottenham are 12th after enduring a troubled season under coach Ange Postecoglou, but have beaten City twice already this term – including a 4-0 rout in November.

“They’re a fantastic team, with individual quality,” Guardiola said.

Tottenham’s injured quartet Richarlison, Dominic Solanke, Micky van de Ven, and Christian Romero are all expected to return to action within the next 10 days, Postecoglou said.