The Man City boss was without his talisman striker for the 1-0 win over Leeds United
Pep Guardiola shrugging his shoulders in a press conference
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola(Image: YouTube/Hayters TV)
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Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola admits he doesn't know whether Erling Haaland will be fit to face Newcastle United in next weekend's FA Cup fifth-round clash - before complaining that the late kick-off time will hamper their preparations for their Champions League last-16 tie with Real Madrid.
Haaland missed City's 1-0 win over Leeds United on Saturday and is now a doubt for the midweek Premier League match with Nottingham Forest and next Saturday's trip to Tyneside
Newcastle host Man City at 8pm on Saturday night, with Eddie Howe's side facing Manchester United on Wednesday evening.
Like City, Newcastle also have a Champions League game to contend with after their FA Cup encounter, with United taking on Barcelona in the first leg of their last-16 tie at St James' Park on Tuesday, March 10.
That's 24 hours before Man City's game against Real Madrid, although they have to travel to the Spanish capital for the Bernabeu clash..
"We have three days until Nottingham Forest," said Guardiola said on Saturday night after Antoine Semenyo's goal gave them a 1-0 win at Elland Road..
"And then after in the FA Cup, thank you so much for letting us play at 8pm instead of 3pm so we have less recover to play Real Madrid.
"So again thank you so much. This is what you have to live with, but you have to deal with that."
Haaland was a surprise absentee from the squad at Leeds, but Guardiola was cagey when asked about when his No 9 could return.
"I wish he'd come back!" he said. "I don't know."
Speaking before the game, he had said: "Two days ago in training he had some problems and a little injury. Not a big issue but not ready for today.
"We don't have spies in the training centre to deliver the info to our media. I think it is not a big issue. We will see."
Haaland has only scored once in 10 appearances against Newcastle, but provided the assist for Nico O'Reilly's second goal in City's 2-1 win over the Magpies in the Premier League fixture between the two sides last month at the Etihad.
Newcastle have already beaten City at St James' this season, running out 2-1 winners in the Premier League game on Tyneside in November.
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