Manchester City striker Erling Haaland is back in the starting line-up for today’s lunchtime Premier League clash with Brentford.
Haaland returned to action last weekend, coming on against Fulham with around half an hour to play and saw one goal disallowed before scoring an injury-time penalty to win the game 2-1.
Asked on Friday if Haaland is fit for today’s contest at the Etihad, Guardiola said at his pre-match press conference: "We'll see, we'll see. He trains this afternoon [Friday], so we’ll see."
Pushed on if Haaland is feeling any better, Guardiola added: "A little bit."
Haaland is back in from the off, with Julian Alvarez dropping out, and is joined by Phil Foden for a final run out ahead of the World Cup after being a surprise substitute for three games on the spin. Jack Grealish drops to the bench.
Joao Cancelo also starts after serving a one-match ban in the Carabao Cup. Kalvin Phillips is on the bench and will be hoping for minutes ahead of the World Cup.
Nathan Ake is not in the squad as his wife is due to give birth.
Ivan Toney, who missed out on a place in Gareth Southgate’s group, started for the Bees after missing last week’s draw at Nottingham Forest through suspension.
Confirmed team news
Manchester City XI: Ederson, Stones, Akanji, Laporte, Cancelo, Rodrigo, De Bruyne, Gundogan, Bernardo, Haaland, Foden
Subs: Ortega Moreno, Dias, Phillips, Grealish, Alvarez, Gomez, Mahrez, Palmer, Lewis
Brentford XI: Raya, Jorgensen, Mee, Pinnock, Roerslev, Onyeka, Janelt, Jensen, Henry, Mbeumo, Toney
Subs: Norgaard, Canos, Dasilva, Wissa, Ghoddos, Lewis-Potter, Crama, Cox, Yarmolyuk.
