Erling Haaland's recovery halted as he suffers injury setback

The 23-year-old goal machine has been sidelined by a persistent foot issue, which has been a source of concern for City's medical staff. 

This week, they made the tough call to pull him out of training, effectively ruling him out for City's upcoming clash against Newcastle. This marks the ninth consecutive match Haaland will miss, a significant blow to Pep Guardiola's plans.

Haaland's foot problem has been troubling him since City's defeat to Aston Villa last month. The injury was severe enough to leave him unable to walk post-match. 

Despite the team's efforts and Haaland's determination, the road to full fitness remains uncertain.

Pep Guardiola remains hopeful that a change of scenery and approach could aid Haaland's recovery. The team is set to embark on a week-long training camp in Abu Dhabi, with hopes that the warm weather and change in routine could expedite the striker's return. 

"Hopefully at the end of this month he’ll be ready," Guardiola stated, as reported by Daily Mail, acknowledging that the injury was "a little bit more than we expected. It’s a bone, it needs time. We’ve missed him.”

The absence of Haaland is not the only concern for Guardiola. The City boss also faces fitness challenges with other key players. Jack Grealish is currently battling a virus, and John Stones has also been ruled out, adding to the team's growing list of unavailable players. 

As Manchester City continues its campaign, the fitness and availability of these key players could play a crucial role in their pursuit of glory.