Manchester City's injured forward Erling Haaland sits in the crowd...

Manchester City's injured forward Erling Haaland sits in the crowd during a Premier League soccer match between Manchester City v Aston Villa, Tuesday, April 22, 2025, at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, England. Credit: AP/Martin Rickett

SOUTHAMPTON, England — Erling Haaland is back in Manchester City's starting lineup for his first appearance in six weeks.

Haaland was picked in the team to play already-relegated Southampton in the Premier League on Saturday, a week before City meets Crystal Palace in the FA Cup final.

The Norway striker has been sidelined since hurting his ankle against Bournemouth on March 30.

Haaland's return might come too late for him to win a third straight Golden Boot award for the league's top scorer.

Haaland headed into the Southampton game on 21 goals, seven behind Liverpool's Mohamed Salah.

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