Jeremy Doku and Erling Haaland hand significant Manchester City fitness update in boost to Pep Guardiola | OneFootball

Pep Guardiola has been boosted by the return of both Jeremy Doku and Erling Haaland to first-team training this week, following Kevin De Bruyne’s return in Jeddah.

Manchester City reached the final of the 2023 FIFA Club World Cup without the aforementioned trio on Tuesday evening, as they comfortably defeated Japanese side Urawa Red Diamonds 0-3 in Saudi Arabia.

Doku, Haaland, and De Bruyne were all withdrawn from City’s 23-man squad list for the match ahead of kick-off, as academy stars in Max Alleyne, Mahamadou Susoho, and Micah Hamilton took seats on the bench in their place.

While Pep Guardiola offered a somewhat disappointing update on Doku and Haaland after the contest, revealing that the latter was still unable to train, Manchester City have indicated positive steps made by both players on Wednesday.

As per images released on Manchester City’s French X account, both Jeremy Doku and Erling Haaland have returned to action with on-the-ball work in training after prolonged periods away from the squad due to muscular and foot problems respectively.

Unfortunately for Manchester City supporters hopeful of seeing any of the returning trio in action at the FIFA Club World Cup final in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia later this week, competition rules have prevented such a possibility.

After City withdrew Jeremy Doku, Erling Haaland, and Kevin De Bruyne from their 23-man squad list for the semi-final stage of the tournament, FIFA rules stipulate that no further changes can be made to the squad list ahead of Friday’s final showdown.

Pep Guardiola and his Manchester City players are scheduled to take on Brazilian side Fluminense as they aim to claim their fifth piece of silverware in a single calendar year following last season’s Treble and the UEFA Super Cup in August.

The South American outfit defeated Egyptian club Al Ahly in their semi-final meeting on Monday evening, avoiding a third place play-off and instead meeting Manchester City.