These are your Manchester City evening headlines on Thursday, January 4
Manchester City’s preparations for their first match of 2024 have stepped up a notch today as the Blues prepare to begin their FA Cup defence.
City hold positive memories of the competition having beaten rivals Manchester United at Wembley Stadium last June. The result ended up being the second of five trophies the Blues obtained in 2023, with the Champions League, UEFA Super Cup and FIFA Club World Cup all secured for the first time later that year.
While excitement may be building for the the FA Cup, the January transfer window is in full swing and a player departure has been confirmed this evening.
Steffen leaves City
City have confirmed their first exit of the January transfer window as goalkeeper Zack Steffen has left the Etihad on a permanent deal.
Steffen, 28, signed for City in 2019, and made 21 appearances for Pep Guardiola in between loan spells at Fortuna Dusseldorf and Middlesbrough. He underwent surgery in the summer which meant he was unable to leave the club on loan for the first half of the season, and has now completed a return to his native USA.
The goalkeeper has joined Colorado Rapids in an attempt to kick-start his career and regain his place in the US national team squad. He had hoped to be included in the US’s World Cup squad in 2022, but missed the cut while on loan at Boro, with his last international appearance coming in March 2022.
Haaland injury timescale
City striker Erling Haaland is closing in on a return to action from a foot injury.
The Norway international has been absent for nearly a month but was pictured back in training on Wednesday ahead of a potential return to action. He had previously been training individually as he works his way back to full fitness.
City are in FA Cup action this weekend when they face Championship strugglers Huddersfield Town in the third round. With cup commitments and a winter break, City play just one top-flight fixture between now and January 31. That comes against Newcastle United next weekend.
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