Pep Guardiola sweats on Erling Haaland and Nico O'Reilly ahead of crucial week

City face a demanding run that includes a Premier League home clash with Nottingham Forest on Wednesday, an FA Cup fifth-round trip to Newcastle United on Saturday evening, and a Champions League last-16 first leg away to Real Madrid next Tuesday.

Guardiola admitted he would have preferred more preparation time ahead of the European encounter.

Haaland missed the recent Premier League victory over Leeds United after sustaining a minor issue in training. The problem was identified on Thursday prior to the match at Elland Road and, while described as minor, it was sufficient to rule him out.

There remains hope he could return as soon as Wednesday's meeting with Forest, as City aim to keep pace with Arsenal at the top of the table.

O'Reilly's situation is also uncertain. The youngster was forced off with 20 minutes remaining against Leeds after suffering what Guardiola termed an "ankle knock". He initially attempted to continue before being substituted, and the club must now assess the full extent of the injury.

"I don't have an answer right now [on Haaland's injury]," Guardiola said on Saturday evening.

"He was not ready for today, but we have four days before Nottingham Forest and after three days in FA Cup in Newcastle at 8pm." 

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