Manchester City are sweating over the fitness of star striker Erling Braut Haaland ahead of Saturday lunchtime's Premier League clash with Leicester City at the King Power Stadium.

The 22-year-old only lasted 45 minutes against former club Borussia Dortmund in midweek, having been dealing with fatigue, illness and a knock to the foot.

Haaland was seen limping but smiling as he went for further checks this week, and Guardiola affirmed on Friday that the striker was looking better, but he is not guaranteed to line up from the off.

Joao Cancelo was also the victim of a bug which led to his half-time withdrawal at Westfalenstadion, but the defender seemingly has a better chance of recovering in time to start the contest. Sergio Gomez is back from a European suspension and could deputize if need be, though.

Premier League regular Manuel Akanji will expect to return to the defence alongside Ruben Dias, while Aymeric Laporte is also in contention to replace John Stones given that the Englishman has only just come back from his own problem.

Bernardo Silva and Kevin De Bruyne were both benched in midweek and should therefore come back into the engine room alongside Rodri, as Ilkay Gundogan and ex-Leicester man Riyad Mahrez - who missed his 10th career penalty in midweek - make way.

Jack Grealish can also feel confident of returning to the forward line alongside Phil Foden, and Julian Alvarez could make just his second Premier League start if Pep Guardiola opts to keep Haaland in reserve.

Man City possible starting lineup: Ederson; Cancelo, Dias, Akanji, Laporte; Silva, Rodri, De Bruyne; Foden, Alvarez, Grealish

Written by
Ben Knapton