<p style="font-size: 16px; color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: &quot;Sky Sports Brand 2026&quot;, &quot;Sky Text&quot;, arial, sans-serif, sans-serif; white-space-collapse: collapse; background-color: rgb(34, 34, 34);">However, the 25-year-old was pictured back on the grass at the City Football Academy before City left for the Spanish capital, where they face Real on Wednesday night.<p style="font-size: 16px; color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: &quot;Sky Sports Brand 2026&quot;, &quot;Sky Text&quot;, arial, sans-serif, sans-serif; white-space-collapse: collapse; background-color: rgb(34, 34, 34);">“I didn’t think to let him play [at Newcastle] and I prefer him training to make a rhythm," said Guardiola when explaining the forward's absence at St James' Park.<p style="font-size: 16px; color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: &quot;Sky Sports Brand 2026&quot;, &quot;Sky Text&quot;, arial, sans-serif, sans-serif; white-space-collapse: collapse; background-color: rgb(34, 34, 34);">“After injury, when he drops, he always struggles a little bit to have that real, real pace.”<p style="font-size: 16px; color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: &quot;Sky Sports Brand 2026&quot;, &quot;Sky Text&quot;, arial, sans-serif, sans-serif; white-space-collapse: collapse; background-color: rgb(34, 34, 34);">Meanwhile, there was more good news for City with&nbsp;Mateo Kovacic&nbsp;also spotted back in training.<p style="font-size: 16px; color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family: &quot;Sky Sports Brand 2026&quot;, &quot;Sky Text&quot;, arial, sans-serif, sans-serif; white-space-collapse: collapse; background-color: rgb(34, 34, 34);">The midfielder has made only two appearances this term due to an ankle injury, but Guardiola hopes he will feature before the end of the season.

Haaland back in training ahead of return in Madrid