Man City issue fitness update on Kevin De Bruyne and Erling Haaland after Club World Cup squad change

Erling Haaland is still not fit enough to return to training with Manchester City after the Norwegian striker was ruled out of the Club World Cup final on Friday.

Haaland didn't train with the squad on Monday and wasn't included in the 23-man squad to face Urawa Red Diamonds on Tuesday at the King Abdullah Sport City Stadium, while Jeremy Doku was also unable to train and wasn't in the squad.

Kevin De Bruyne did return to training this week but after four months out with a hamstring injury he is still some way short of being able to play and while all three players attended the semi-final win against the 2022 Asian champions, they were removed from the squad list submitted to FIFA.

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That rules De Bruyne, Doku and Haaland out of Friday's final against Fluminese and while Guardiola is pleased to have the Belgian midfielder back, he said Haaland still wasn't in a position to start training and now faces a race against time to be fit to face Everton on December 27.

"Kevin started training yesterday and tomorrow he trains with us, it’s four months. He is getting better. Erling still cannot train," said Guardiola.

City cruised to a 3-0 win against Urawa Red Diamonds to book their place in the final on Friday and Guardiola is aiming to complete the set in charge of the club.

"Being here is unbelievable for us, we don’t take it for granted, we know we may not be back again, we try but it’s so difficult," he said.

"When I was here before, it’s the semi-final I’m concerned with the most. People’s expectations are high, to lose that would have been more difficult. Now we are