Manchester City coach Enzo Maresca said Erling Haaland is available to return for Saturday’s trip to Aston Villa, while three other players remain doubtful.
Haaland, who has scored 12 goals in nine games to start to the season, remained on the bench throughout Man City’s 5-1 Champions League thrashing of AEK Athens on Tuesday.
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But Maresca confirmed Thursday that the Norway striker is in line to return, while Matheus Nunes, Nico O’Reilly and Mateo Kovacic had been improving as City prepare to visit Villa Park after three consecutive home games.
“We have a session this afternoon. [The injured players] can all be available or not in terms of still doubt,” Maresca told a news conference. “Yesterday, they were all improving, and we’ll see this afternoon. For sure, Erling is the only one 100% available.”
City go into the game three points clear of champions Arsenal at the top of the Premier League, with Maresca having begun his first season in charge with seven straight league wins.
Despite the perfect start, the former Chelsea coach insisted the team is not resting on its laurels.
“The mood is very good,” Maresca said. “I said many times the mood is good. We are happy with our start but we are more hungry for more wins. We’re happy at the moment but want more.
“It’s too early [to say teams are not in the title race]. Seven games, there are many games to go. It’s too early.”
As well as Haaland, Rayan Cherki has been another major contributor to the positive early weeks of Maresca’s tenure. The France international has six goals and two assists thus far and Maresca praised Cherki as one of Europe’s best players when deployed in the right areas.
“If we are able to keep him there, and if we are able to find him between the lines, so in the right position, I think he is one of the best player in Europe,” Maresca said.
Information from The Associated Press contributed to this report.
