Man City’s Haaland a doubt to travel to CWC – Guardiola

Manchester City's Erling Haaland is likely to miss his second successive Premier League match with a foot injury on Saturday, said manager Pep Guardiola, who hopes his striker can travel with the team for the Club World Cup in Saudi Arabia.

“I do not think so [he will play Saturday]”Guardiola told reporters on Friday ahead of Crystal Palace's visit. “But maybe it's surprising that they're telling me something new, but I don't think so.”

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Haaland missed last Sunday's 2-1 win over Luton Town with what Guardiola called a stress reaction, then did not travel to Belgrade for a 3-2 win over Red Star in the Champions League on Wednesday .

A stress reaction, which includes swelling and bruising in the bone, can progress to a more serious stress fracture, although Guardiola said he was not worried about the 14-goal 23-year-old leading the league this season.

No, it's not a fracture, it's just stress, and sometimes these players recover faster, sometimes longer, so the doctor said we have to take it day by day, week by week, depending on what he feels at the moment, [when he doesn’t] If you have symptoms or don't feel pain, he will be ready to play again,” added the coach.

Any extended layoff would be a major blow to City's hopes of retaining their title. The three-time winners are fourth in the table with 33 points after 16 games, four behind leaders Liverpool.

Guardiola said Haaland had undergone treatment away from Manchester and returned on Friday.

“He will see the doctors, they will see him and we will see how he feels,” Guardiola added.

“I hope he can go to Saudi Arabia [Saturday] after the game I think he will travel with us and then we will see if he is able to play the first game or the second or when we come back [to Manchester]”.

City will play the Club World Cup semi-final on Tuesday against an opponent yet to be determined. The final is scheduled for Friday.

Injuries are also piling up for Crystal Palace, who are 15th with 16 points, seven points from the drop zone.

Roy Hodgson's side could be missing as many as eight players on Saturday, although Guardiola said he expects a stiff challenge from the visitors.

“The way they defend is brilliant… it will be a very, very difficult game,” he said. “Since I’ve been here I can’t remember any easy games against Roy Hodgson’s teams.”

Hodgson, 76, was hired by Palace towards the end of last season. Asked if he still saw himself coaching at Hodgson's age, Guardiola replied: “I don't think so.

“[It is phenomenal] have the fire and passion inside to always be there.

Guardiola was asked about the news that Rebecca Welch will become the first female referee to officiate a Premier League match when Fulham take on Burnley on December 23.

“Excellent idea, more than welcome,” said the manager. “I hope there will be more in the future.”