Manchester City injury update: will Erling Haaland, Kevin De Bruyne and Rodri play against Everton?

The FIFA Club World Cup was ultimately a welcome distraction for Manchester City, who won the tournament for the first time thanks to comfortable wins over Japanese side Urawa Red Diamonds and Fluminense of Brazil. Pep Guardiola’s side travelled to Saudi Arabia having won only one of their previous five Premier League games, but they have now triumphed in four of their last five fixtures in all competitions thanks to their victories in the Middle East.

The 2022-23 Champions League winners return to league duty against Everton on Wednesday (27 December) and will also host Sheffield United before 2023 comes to a close. But it looks as if Guardiola will again have to make do without key duo Erling Haaland and Kevin De Bruyne, who didn’t feature in the Club World Cup.

What injury does Erling Haaland have?

The Norwegian striker is the only man who could still overtake Cristiano Ronaldo as the top goalscorer of 2023, although it seems highly unlikely due to his ongoing fitness issues. Haaland suffered a foot injury in the defeat to Aston Villa on 6 December and hasn’t been seen since. There has been some mystery surrounding when the 23-year-old will be back in action and although he hasn’t explicitly been ruled out of the trip to Goodison Park, the chances of him being involved appear slim.

De Bruyne closing in on City return

The same goes for Kevin De Bruyne, who injured his hamstring against Burnley on the opening weekend of the season in August. The Belgian, who has missed 27 matches, has resumed training and is close to making his return, although it will probably not come on Wednesday.

“No issues” for Rodri after Fluminense scare

Fellow midfielder Rodri, seen by some as City’s most important player, looks set to play despite after revealing after the win over Fluminense he “almost cried” following a late challenge which forced him off with an ankle issue. But he also claimed to be “fine” and would have “no issues” playing against Everton.

Winger Jérémy Doku, however, hasn’t played since 3 December and is also in the “doubtful” category due to a muscular problem.