Few expected Haaland to be in the squad for today’s match against Wolves, but it happened, and tonight he has the chance to step onto the pitch for some minutes.

Pep Guardiola had previously stated that Erling Haaland, despite progress in recovering from an ankle injury suffered in March against Bournemouth, was not yet ready to return to action.

The Norwegian striker resumed full training this week, but Guardiola had only mentioned that he would return in “upcoming games,” without directly referencing the match against Wolverhampton.

Haaland had missed Manchester City’s last six games since his injury during the FA Cup quarter-final victory at the Vitality Stadium.

With 30 goals in all competitions this season, Haaland’s return is a major boost for City, who are striving to secure a top-five finish in the Premier League and salvage a disappointing season with a Champions League qualification spot.

Haaland is also likely to be available for the FA Cup final against Crystal Palace on May 17 at Wembley.

Guardiola said on Thursday: “He is getting better. His injury was supposed to keep him out for six weeks, and now we are between the fourth and fifth week.”

Manchester City lineup: Ederson, Nunes, Dias, Guardiol, O’Reilly, Gundogan, Silva, Kovacic, Doku, De Bruyne, Mermoush

Substitutes: Haaland, Stefan Ortega, Rico Lewis, Jack Grealish, Savinho