Manchester City striker Erling Haaland is “feeling better” after sustaining a knock in their last game and will be assessed before Saturday’s Premier League trip to Leicester City, manager Pep Guardiola said on the eve of the match. Haaland, who has scored 22 goals in 16 games in all competitions for City this season, was replaced by Bernardo Silva in the second half of their 0-0 draw with Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League on Tuesday.

“He feels better but we will assess in a few hours,” Guardiola told reporters on Friday. “We will see how he is feeling and then we will decide.” Guardiola said City’s Argentina forward Julian Alvarez will be the first option to replace Haaland if the Norwegian is not fit for Saturday’s game. Unlike the impressive Haaland, Alvarez has scored only two league goals this season but Guardiola was not concerned with the numbers given the Argentine’s limited playing time.

“Play 90 minutes every game and he will score goals, maybe not like Erling, but he will score goals,” Guardiola said.

“I don’t judge. “I know how many minutes he plays and how difficult it is when you are not used to playing regularly ... since day one, we are really impressed with many things about him.” Goalkeeper Ederson will return to the squad for Saturday’s game after being rested. Kyle Walker and Kalvin Phillips will not play before the World Cup, Pep Guardiola said on Friday. The Manchester City pair are both recovering from injury and have less than a month to prove their fitness for the tournament in Qatar.

It leaves England coach Gareth Southgate with a decision to make over whether to risk naming either in his 26- man squad. Walker underwent a groin operation last month, while Phillips had surgery on his shoulder in September. “I think they are getting better, Kalvin especially, but they are out,” said Guardiola. “Until after the World Cup, they will not be ready (for us). Hopefully they can get to be ready to be selected.”