Erling Haaland and Nico O’Reilly injury updates from Man City boss Pep Guardiola

Pep Guardiola has provided an injury update on Erling Haaland and Nico O’Reilly ahead of Manchester City’s Premier League clash with Nottingham Forest.

Haaland was a surprise omission from the squad as City beat Leeds United 1-0 at Elland Road last Saturday, reportedly struggling with a knee problem.

It was the first Premier League game the Norwegian has missed this season, scoring 22 goals in his 27 top flight appearances this campaign.

Guardiola was coy on Haaland’s issue after the win in West Yorkshire, saying on Saturday: ‘I don’t have an answer right now.

‘He was not ready for today but we have four days before Nottingham Forest and after, three days to the FA Cup at Newcastle at 8pm.’

City take on Forest on Wednesday night, with the boss giving an update on his team news at a press conference on Tuesday afternoon.

Speaking about his centre-forward, Guardiola said: ‘He feels much better but yesterday we didn’t train. Now we are training, we will decide today.’

O’Reilly, who has been in fine form of late, started the game at Elland Road, but only last 70 minutes.

Speaking after the win, Guardiola said of the England international: ‘It’s for the ankle. He had a knock in the ankle and played on and was out.’

At his press conference on Tuesday, the manager said the Englishman is in a similar situation to the Norwegian, saying: ‘The same, we will decide after training.’

Guardiola remains without longer-term injury concerns Mateo Kovacic and Josko Gvardiol, who are not close to returns.

Manchester City and Arsenal play at the same time on Wednesday night, with the Gunners taking on Brighton.

Mikel Arteta’s men will hope to maintain their five-point lead at the top of the Premier League, or extend it if City surprisingly slip up at home to Forest.

After Arsenal’s 2-1 win over Chelsea on Sunday, Liverpool boss Arne Slot criticised the prevailing style of play in the Premier League currently, which is heavily focussed on set-plays.

Asked about those comments, Guardiola said: ‘Set pieces have started to be important.

‘When I was a young boy we said the people in England celebrate corners like a goal. Arsenal dictate how they do it.

‘Four years ago in the NBA the three-shot point was not involved as much. It is part of the dynamics.

‘You can sit and complain or adapt. You have to adapt and especially adapt in the way it is conducted in the Premier League. Every country has a specific way to do it. I understand completely why [Slot complains] in some ways I agree.’

Arne Slot on set-pieces

‘You have to accept it. I think it’s mainly here in the Premier League. If I watch other leagues I don’t think there’s so much emphasis on set-pieces.

‘If I watch an Eredivisie game, which I still do, I see goals being disallowed and fouls on goalkeepers being given and I think ‘wow, that’s a big difference’. Here, you can almost hit a goalkeeper in his face and the referee still says ‘just go on’.

‘Do I like it? My football heart doesn’t like it. If you ask me about football, I think about the Barcelona team from 10, 15 years ago. Every Sunday evening you were hoping they would play.

‘Now, most of the games I see in the Premier League are not for me a joy to watch but it’s always interesting because it’s so competitive.

‘That is what makes this league great because there is so much competitiveness. Everyone can win against everyone.’