Manchester City handed massive injury boost as striker returns to training in time for Tottenham game

Erling Haaland has rejoined Manchester City's first-team training in Abu Dhabi as Pep Guardiola prepares for their FA Cup game against Tottenham on Friday night. 

Haaland has missed the last six weeks due to a stress injury to his foot but he's now boosted Guardiola's options by being able to train with the team for the first time this year. The 23-year-old did light sessions on Monday and will work with the team again today before they return to Manchester on Wednesday. 

Haaland missed nine matches during his time out including the Club World Cup triumph, but his return gives City another weapon especially as they come up against a Tottenham side they are yet to beat away since they moved to their new stadium in April 2019. 

Spurs also returned to training for the first time on Monday after a four-day break and James Maddison, who has struggled with an ankle injury since November was spotted with the team even though it's still not entirely certain if he would be involved on Friday night. 

The Lilywhites are already without club captain Son Heung-min who is in Qatar for the Asian Cup and midfield duo Yves Bissouma with Mali, and Pape Matar Sarr with Senegal, are in the Ivory Coast for the AFCON. 

Tottenham also confirmed the departure of experienced winger Ivan Perisic this week, he was initially ruled out for the rest of the campaign with a knee injury. Perisic joined his boyhood club Hajduk Split. Manor Solomon, Giovani Lo Celso and Ben Davies are all set to miss the game due to fitness concerns.