Man City given boost in race for Champions League qualification as Erling Haaland posts message

Manchester City's goal machine Erling Haaland is back on the training pitch after recovering from an ankle setback.

Photographs from Wednesday's open training session have captured the Norwegian marksman back on the grass alongside his teammates once again. The prolific frontman has been missing from squad since picking up the ankle injury during the FA Cup win against Bournemouth last month.

After a period out of action, posted on X: "Getting better, feeling better." The 24-year-old has scored 30 goals this season for City, with 21 of those coming in the Premier League, and boss Guardiola is expected to provide an injury update during his press conference on Thursday.

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In another boost for City, Rodri was seen joining the group session as he edges closer to match fitness following an anterior cruciate ligament injury. Though the Ballon d'Or winner has been out of action since his injury in September against Arsenal, he had started individual drills in February and it seems he's now progressing towards a comeback.

With Haaland's return likely to come in the next couple of weeks, it gives Man City a timely boost in their pursuit of qualifying for next season's UEFA Champions League. Guardiola's side have endured a difficult 2024/25 campaign and are currently fourth in the Premier League, 21 points behind recently crowned champions Liverpool.

Teams who finish in the top five will qualify for European football's elite competition. It is extremely close, however, as just five points separate Newcastle in third and Aston Villa in seventh. Nottingham Forest could move up to third if they beat Brentford on Thursday evening.

Chelsea are currently fifth with four games of the Premier League season remaining. The Blues have a number of tricky fixtures to come, however, with Enzo Maresca's men facing Liverpool, Newcastle, Manchester United and Nottingham Forest in their remaining games.