Manchester City receive a triple fitness boost ahead of Saturday’s Premier League clash against Wolverhampton Wanderers at the Etihad Stadium.
Manchester City have received a triple fitness boost ahead of Saturday’s Premier League clash against Wolverhampton Wanderers at the Etihad Stadium.
The Citizens strengthened their hopes of winning an unprecedented fourth successive Premier League title when they beat Nottingham Forest 2-0 at the City Ground last weekend.
Phil Foden, who was named FWA Footballer of the Year on Friday, and Ruben Dias were two notable absentees from the matchday squad against Forest, with both players missing through illness.
Meanwhile, goalkeeper Ederson was forced off at half time with a shoulder injury after colliding with Forest defender Willy Boly midway through the first half.
All three players have since taken part in first-team training this week, and manager Pep Guardiola has confirmed whether the trio will be fit to feature against Wolves.
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Foden, Dias, Ederson in contention to play against Wolves
Speaking at a press conference on Friday, Guardiola said: “[Phil Foden and Ruben Dias] are okay. [Ederson’s injury] looked worse than it is. He trained yesterday and feels good.”
Guardiola has also confirmed that Erling Haaland is fit to start against Wolves after the striker marked his return from a foot injury with a goal against Forest less than 10 minutes after coming on as a second-half substitute.
“Haaland is fit to start tomorrow,” the Catalan boss added. “I will think about the team selection later.
“When everyone is fit they have to be ready. I don’t exactly know what they will do tomorrow. We need to see the last games from Wolves.”
“[We had] days off and three really good training sessions, as always. Fresh the mind and tactics with little details. But at this stage there is not much to talk about tactics. Fresh minds and get legs ready for the game tomorrow.”
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Pep Guardiola: ‘Title race depends on us’
Man City’s fully-fit squad head into their final four Premier League fixtures sitting second in the table and just one point behind leaders Arsenal who have played a game more.
The Gunners can climb four points clear if they beat Bournemouth a few hours before Man City square off with Wolves, and Guardiola has insisted that his side cannot afford to drop any more points if they wish to retain the title.
“We know that we have to win all 12 points, otherwise it will be difficult because Arsenal are so strong. It depends on us,” said Guardiola.
“One at a time and we try to win the games. It’s no more complicated. I would like to say what we have done in the past is going to happen again this season but nobody knows it.”
Man City will be confident of success on Saturday as they have won seven of their last eight home league meetings with Wolves, although they were beaten 2-1 by Gary O’Neil‘s side in the reverse fixture at Molineux back in September.
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