Pep Guardiola unsure on Haaland injury return date after Leeds absence

Manchester City are hopeful the injury which sidelined Erling Haaland at the weekend is not serious. The Norway striker missed City’s 1-0 Premier League victory at Leeds on Saturday, having sustained an unspecified problem during training prior to the game.

Manager Pep Guardiola did not give a clear indication of when the 25-year-old might return, but the Press Association understands the issue is not a major concern.

Haaland, who has scored 29 goals in all competitions this season , will be assessed on Monday and Tuesday ahead of Wednesday’s clash with Nottingham Forest at the Etihad Stadium.

"I don’t have an answer right now," Guardiola said after the game at Elland Road. "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."

He then made a pointed swipe about the kick-off time for next Saturday’s fifth-round tie at St James’ Park.

"Thank you so much for that time, to go better to Madrid with less recovery, thank you," Guardiola added.

Haaland was absent for City’s 1-0 win over Leeds United on Saturday (Getty Images)

Nico O’Reilly, who was withdrawn after 70 minutes at Leeds with an ankle injury, will also be checked.

City are once again within touching distance of the top of the Premier League after Antoine Semenyo ’s goal earned them three points from a tense match at Elland Road.

With Erling Haaland missing through injury, Semenyo scored his sixth goal in 11 appearances since joining City from Bournemouth in January, taking advantage of a rare chance in a cagey match.

Arsenal host Chelsea on Sunday and Pep Guardiola knows the importance of putting maximum pressure on Mikel Arteta’s men.

“We had incredible focus in all departments,” he said. “We didn’t create much, but we didn’t concede anything. It was a little bit more and more uncomfortable (in the closing stages), but we defended really well. It’s a huge victory for us.”

Leeds remain six points above the relegation zone but were clearly feeling the pressure themselves, with an angry Daniel Farke sent off after the final whistle after remonstrating with referee Peter Bankes.