Pep Guardiola faces some late calls on several players for Saturday night's Premier League game
Erling Haaland reacts during Manchester City's victory over Fulham in the Premier League
Manchester City's Erling Haaland(Image: James Gill - Danehouse/Getty Images)
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Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola will run the rule over several injury doubts before naming his side for Saturday night's Premier League clash with Newcastle United at the Etihad.
Unlike the Magpies, City have had a free week to prepare for the 8pm showdown, giving some big names plenty of time to recover from knocks.
Thankfully for United head coach Eddie Howe, he has no new injuries to report following their 6-1 Champions League win over Qarabag on Wednesday night.
But the travelling could take its toll on his squad, with Newcastle jetting back into Tyneside early on Thursday before a quick turnaround and another away day to Manchester.
It's United's fourth away match on the bounce following wins over Tottenham, Aston Villa and Qarabag, although they have only won once at the Etihad, and that was in the League Cup in 2014.
However, they could face a City side shorn of some top talent, although Guardiola still has plenty of quality to call upon.
All eyes will be on whether star striker Erling Haaland is considered fit enough to start. The Norwegian goal machine missed their FA Cup win over Salford City after being forced off at half-time in a 3-0 win over Fulham, with a knee injury.
He's not the only player who is touch-and-go for the match, with winger Jeremy Doku also close to a return from a calf problem.
Fellow winger Savinho has been making slow progress with a thigh injury, but indications are that he is close to a return to the squad.
At the back, youngster Max Alleyne is still being assessed as he recovers from a knock, although Marc Guehi, John Stones and Ruben Dias are all fit.
Croatian defender Josko Gvardiol will definitely miss the game, however. He is out until April with a calf problem.
Another confirmed absentee is midfielder Mateo Kovacic, after he damaged his ankle. It is thought the veteran will be fit in time for the World Cup, but is not expected to play for City again this term.
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