Manchester City to assess Erling Haaland’s fitness before Nottingham Forest game

Manchester City will give a fitness test to Erling Haaland ahead of Wednesday’s Premier League clash with Nottingham Forest.

The Norway striker missed title-chasing City’s victory at Leeds on Saturday after suffering an unspecified knock in training.

Manager Pep Guardiola said at a press conference on Tuesday: “He feels much better but yesterday we didn’t train and now we have training. We’ll decide today.”

City will also check on Nico O’Reilly after he was forced off at Elland Road with an ankle injury.

Guardiola, whose side are five points behind leaders Arsenal with a game in hand, is expecting a tough contest against a Forest side battling to pull clear of the relegation zone.

Last month Forest appointed Vitor Pereira, who engineered Wolves’ survival last season, in the hope of turning around their fortunes.

Guardiola said: “I remember Wolves last season, when we were playing for Champions League qualification.

“In the first half of the first game they outplayed us and were much better. We were incredibly lucky.

“He’s a top-class manager. I saw their games against Brighton and Liverpool and they were alive.

“Even when we played there with (former manager) Sean Dyche, the quality of the players was there. They have a big, deep squad with top-class players.

“The Premier League is so tough, it is so difficult. Look at the results of teams in the relegation battle against top teams.

“Since I arrived here I don’t judge teams on their position of the table. I know the quality that they have.”

Arsenal are also in action on Wednesday as they face Brighton in what could be a key night in the title race.

Guardiola said: “When you arrive at the last 10 games, every point starts to be decisive. We have six games in this month, two in the Premier League.

“It is a really important game. We are five points behind Arsenal so we cannot drop points.”