Manchester City striker Erling Haaland is set to feature against Burnley on Wednesday night after nearly two months out with a foot injury.
The 23-year-old hasn't played since City's 1-0 defeat at Aston Villa on December 6, a match in which he completed the full 90 minutes but complained of pain in his foot afterwards.
The striker was pictured taking part in first-team training during the Premier League champions' warm weather training camp in Abu Dhabi earlier this month, and will now make his comeback against the Clarets at the Etihad Stadium.
"For the first time he is back," said boss Pep Guardiola, who refused to say whether the Norway international would start the match.
“When we have all the squad, we are stronger, definitely, and Erling is an important player for us. He has been two months out, it is a long time, but he feels good. We have to train this afternoon but apparently tomorrow he will be with all of us.”
Haaland’s absence has been his first significant lay-off since joining City. He scored 52 goals last season in a remarkable debut campaign with the club and had already netted 19 times this term when he sustained the injury.
His return comes at a time when last season's treble winners are welcoming back a raft of key players.
Midfielder Kevin de Bruyne, who last week told The National his injury – suffered in the reverse fixture against Burnley on the opening day – was a blessing in disguise, has hit the ground running following his own spell out.
Meanwhile, Guardiola also confirmed defenders Manuel Akanji and John Stones will be available after injuries and in contention for the game. That would put the squad at near enough full-strength as they seek to overhaul Liverpool at the top of the table and retain their league title.
Guardiola added: "The most important news is almost all of the squad is fit. We don't have injuries. Manu [Akanji] is back, he's training well and doesn't feel his knee. It's the same with John [Stones] as well.
"The important part of season starts now. [We have the] FA Cup, the Champions League is around the corner and of course the Premier League – it’s important that we have everyone available."
Guardiola was once again asked about Jurgen Klopp's decision to leave Liverpool and whether he, too, has thoughts about his own future.
But he said: "I have everything that a manager could dream [of], how they support me. We've changed a lot of players in seven years but they've been fantastic, incredibly supportive, and it's a good environment.
"I still feel good and, of course, one day it is going to finish, but I don't think about that right now."
On Wednesday, former club captain Vincent Kompany will return to the Etihad Stadium as manager of relegation-threatened Burnley. His side lie five points from safety but the former Belgium centre-back says his players will be brave against the "best team in the world".
"They're a great side, they've got top players and a top manager, so the combination of that makes them very difficult to play against," said Kompany.
"I try to look at it this way, there's not many times you get the opportunity to play against what's currently maybe the best team in the world, and whatever they bring we have to try to make a game out of it and show our best side. That's the ambition."
Manchester City in Abu Dhabi - in pictures
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Name: Dr Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
SQUAD
Ali Khaseif, Fahad Al Dhanhani, Adel Al Hosani, Mohammed Al Shamsi, Bandar Al Ahbabi, Mohammed Barghash, Salem Rashid, Khalifa Al Hammadi, Shaheen Abdulrahman, Hassan Al Mahrami, Walid Abbas, Mahmoud Khamis, Yousef Jaber, Saeed Ahmed, Majed Sorour, Majed Hassan, Ali Salmeen, Abdullah Ramadan, Khalil Al Hammadi, Fabio De Lima, Khalfan Mubarak, Tahnoun Al Zaabi, Ali Saleh, Caio Canedo, Muhammed Jumah, Ali Mabkhout, Sebastian Tagliabue, Zayed Al Ameri
School counsellors on mental well-being
Schools counsellors in Abu Dhabi have put a number of provisions in place to help support pupils returning to the classroom next week.
Many children will resume in-person lessons for the first time in 10 months and parents previously raised concerns about the long-term effects of distance learning.
Schools leaders and counsellors said extra support will be offered to anyone that needs it. Additionally, heads of years will be on hand to offer advice or coping mechanisms to ease any concerns.
“Anxiety this time round has really spiralled, more so than from the first lockdown at the beginning of the pandemic,” said Priya Mitchell, counsellor at The British School Al Khubairat in Abu Dhabi.
“Some have got used to being at home don’t want to go back, while others are desperate to get back.
“We have seen an increase in depressive symptoms, especially with older pupils, and self-harm is starting younger.
“It is worrying and has taught us how important it is that we prioritise mental well-being.”
Ms Mitchell said she was liaising more with heads of year so they can support and offer advice to pupils if the demand is there.
The school will also carry out mental well-being checks so they can pick up on any behavioural patterns and put interventions in place to help pupils.
At Raha International School, the well-being team has provided parents with assessment surveys to see how they can support students at home to transition back to school.
“They have created a Well-being Resource Bank that parents have access to on information on various domains of mental health for students and families,” a team member said.
“Our pastoral team have been working with students to help ease the transition and reduce anxiety that [pupils] may experience after some have been nearly a year off campus.
"Special secondary tutorial classes have also focused on preparing students for their return; going over new guidelines, expectations and daily schedules.”
THE BIO
Ms Davison came to Dubai from Kerala after her marriage in 1996 when she was 21-years-old
Since 2001, Ms Davison has worked at many affordable schools such as Our Own English High School in Sharjah, and The Apple International School and Amled School in Dubai
Favourite Book: The Alchemist
Favourite quote: Failing to prepare is preparing to fail
Favourite place to Travel to: Vienna
Favourite cuisine: Italian food
Favourite Movie : Scent of a Woman
