Erling Haaland is still out but Kevin De Bruyne is ready to start for Manchester City at Newcastle United on Sunday (AEDT), manager Pep Guardiola has said.

Striker Haaland is still troubled by the foot injury that has sidelined him since early December.

The Premier League champion, however, is boosted by De Bruyne’s progress after the playmaker’s return from a lengthy lay-off as a second-half substitute in last weekend’s FA Cup victory over Huddersfield Town.

City also expects midfielder Jack Grealish to be available after illness, but defender John Stones is not yet ready to return from an ankle injury.

City manager Guardiola said at a press conference: “Jack has been sick. Hopefully today he’s back. Erling is out and John is out.”

De Bruyne said last week he expected to be on the bench at Newcastle, but asked if he could start, Guardiola said: “Yes. What I saw yesterday he looks really good and dynamic.

“The minutes he played were really good, better than the training sessions before the Huddersfield game when he was a little bit not what he is.

“But that’s normal when you come from five months of injury. He had highs and lows in the training sessions, but that is completely normal. The important thing is he is getting better.”

City heads into the weekend’s fixtures five points behind leader Liverpool with a game in hand.

After the exertions of last season’s treble-winning campaign, Guardiola is pleased with the position of his side at the mid-point of its campaign.

He said: “You cannot imagine. I was not scared, but I didn’t know what was going to happen after winning the treble and with no rest to forget or get our gear off from our hangover from the treble.

“Immediately, (we went to) Japan and then the Community Shield. We didn’t have any time, mentally to recover, not even myself.

“The competition helped us to have a spark, something to reignite again.

“I was a little afraid to be far, far away because I know how Liverpool are back, playing unbelievable, with their best moments in many years. I know it will be difficult.

“Even though Arsenal dropped points, but I saw how they played against West Ham and against Liverpool in the FA Cup – how good they play, the chances they create.

“They didn’t get results, but that happens sometimes. I have the feeling the opponents are so difficult.

“Look how at Aston Villa and Tottenham are as well. That is why I am really pleased.”