Manchester City’s injured Erling Haaland still not training

Pep Guardiola said he 'hopes' Erling Haaland can return to action before the end of January after saying the Manchester City striker was still not fit enough to train with his teammates following to a recent foot injury.

Haaland, 23, has now missed City's last six games in all competitions after missing Wednesday's 3-1 Premier League win at Everton.

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The Norway international was pictured by the club's social media accounts kicking a ball during City's week-long trip to Saudi Arabia for the FIFA Club World Cup last week, but n He's not close to a return to the first team.

“[Haaland] “He trains alone but he doesn't train with the team,” Guardiola told reporters after the victory at Goodison Park. “Kevin [De Bruyne] is training with the team, but Erling isn't yet. It's about knowing when the pain will go away.

“We hope he will be back in January, but the stress on the bones is very painful. He's not like a guy like Phil Foden with smaller skin – Erling is huge.

“He will come back to play. But it's up to the doctors to decide. The doctors come every morning and say this player is available and this one is not.”

City captain De Bruyne has not played since suffering a serious hamstring injury against Burnley in the season opener, but Guardiola says the Belgian midfielder is closing in of a return to action and could be fit for the third round of the FA Cup. at home against Huddersfield Town on January 6.

“Yes, he is close,” Guardiola said. “Today he was tired. We have to be careful. He is training with us and he is so positive. Soon he will be back.

“I would love[him] play the next game or Huddersfield, but it's important to stay fit for a long time.”

City suffered another injury worry in the win at Everton with defender John Stones forced to be forced off in the first half with an ankle problem – an injury which Guardiola says is too early for assess the full extent of the damage.

Guardiola's side are now five points behind leaders Liverpool with a game in hand, despite just one win in six league matches before the trip to Everton. And the City manager said he hoped his side were now over their crisis and ready to win the title again.

“Sometimes you have seasons that start to go wrong,” Guardiola said. “I hope the damage is not significant and we can come back. January is not as demanding as December, but we are still here.

“I feel like the way we play is good. However, the players are angry when they don't win and relatively calm when they win. That's the best way to deal with bad times.”