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Pep Guardiola has been left sickened by Jamie Carragher’s suggestion that Erling Haaland faked injury to avoid facing Real Madrid bruiser Antonio Rudiger.

Carragher, the former Kop defender who is now a TV pundit, controversially claimed that Haaland was running scared of Rudiger in his role working as an expert for CBS Sports.

That has drawn an angry response from Guardiola in which the Catalan struggled to contain his shock.

He had a problem with his knee and he could not play.”

Carragher claimed that Haaland had developed an aversion to Rudiger after a series of physical battles with the hardman German when City travelled to Spain for a second-leg tie that saw them beaten 3-1 to exit the competition 6-3 on aggregate.

Carragher said: “So let me work this out?

Is that what we’re saying here?”

Guardiola kept his cards close to his chest in regards to Haaland's availability for this weekend, revealing a decision would be left as late as possible.

Asked on Friday, he said: "Don't know yet.

It's better to have Erling on the pitch but obviously, we don't have it but of course with Erling we are stronger."

John Stones could be facing a more lengthy spell on the sidelines, with Guardiola admitted that the defender could require surgery.

"He's injured, a difficult one,” Guardiola said of Stones.