Erling Haaland hasn’t played for Manchester City since the Premier League defeat to Aston Villa last month but could return for the FA Cup tie against Huddersfield Town

Manchester City striker Erling Haaland is closing in on a return to action from a foot injury.

The Norway international has been absent for nearly a month but was pictured back in training on Wednesday ahead of a potential return to action. He had previously been training individually as he works his way back to full fitness.

City are in FA Cup action this weekend when they face Championship strugglers Huddersfield Town in the third round. With cup commitments and a winter break, City play just one top-flight fixture between now and January 31. That comes against Newcastle United next weekend.

Haaland seems likely to be available for that fixture while he could be handed minutes, most likely off the bench against Huddersfield to help regain his match fitness.

His return would provide an obvious boost to Pep Guardiola who saw Kevin de Bruyne return to the matchday squad against Sheffield United as an unused sub. Jeremy Doku is also closing in on a return to action at a time when other title contenders, including Liverpool, lose key players to the Africa Cup of Nations.

Guardiola, speaking after the win over Sheffield United, labelled the impending return of the key City trio as ‘incredible news’ ahead of the second half of the season.

Haaland has scored 19 goals in all completions this season but hasn’t featured since City’s 1-0 defeat to Aston Villa in early December. City are third in the table, five points behind leaders Liverpool but with a game in hand.