Enzo Maresca issues Erling Haaland injury update after Man City beat AEK

Haaland picked up a knock after scoring twice in City’s 3-2 win over Ipswich at the weekend, prompting concern that he could miss the Champions League fixture at home to AEK Athens.

The Norwegian watched on as teenager Floyd Samba led the line for City. The Cityzens cruised to a 5-1 victory courtesy of a Phil Foden hat-trick and further strikes from Elliot Anderson and Rayan Cherki.

With City in such control, Maresca felt there was no need to introduce Haaland - much to the head coach’s delight.

A rested Haaland is in line to start this weekend, when City take on Aston Villa in the Premier League in Saturday’s lunchtime kick-off.

Marseca shared: "He's okay to start on Saturday.

"We had five or six players on the bench who were ready to go inside but at the same time they had a rest, which is good! So we’re happy with that."

During the game Josko Gvardiol was forced off with injury in the 72nd minute, but Maresca did not appear concerned. The Italian revealed the issue stemmed from discomfort in the warm-up for the Croatian defender.

Maresca told TNT Sports: "He's okay, he had a small problem during the warm-up in his back but he could play and he was okay.”