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Pep Guardiola has taken the guesswork out of this week's Fantasy Premier League (FPL) team selection by categorically ruling Erling Haaland out of the trip to Newcastle United. The division's joint-top-scorer has been out of action for the past month due to a foot injury.
Haaland set a new Premier League record last season by lashing in 36 goals en route to a stunning silverware treble in his debut year with City. The striker is up to 14 league goals already this term, which leaves him joint-top of the standings despite being out injured since December 6.
Guardiola has previously suggested that Haaland will make his return at some point in January, leaving FPL managers to weigh up whether the Norwegian will be fit to face the Magpies on Saturday.
The City boss has now delivered the fresh update everyone was waiting for, confirming that Haaland has not fully recovered several hours ahead of the FPL deadline at 18:15 GMT on Friday night, allowing plenty of time for changes to be made.
During his latest press conference, Guardiola explained: "Jack [Grealish] has been sick and hopefully today he is back. Erling is out and John [Stones] is out. I think that’s everything."
Things are looking up for the Sky Blues, with Kevin De Bruyne and Jeremy Doku each making their respective returns from injury in the FA Cup win over Huddersfield Town last time out.
City face Newcastle at an opportune moment, with Eddie Howe's side ravaged by injuries and in a poor spell of form. An FA Cup third-round win over bitter rivals Sunderland last weekend distracted from a run of three consecutive Premier League defeats.
Howe confirmed on Friday that Joelinton is the latest first-team regular to be struck down by injury, with the Brazilian set to spend the next six weeks on the sidelines alongside the likes of Nick Pope, Joe Willock and Harvey Barnes.
