Biomechanics expert John Haddad, left, with Erling Haaland, centre Credit: Instagram @jhhaddad

John Haddad has been helping Erling Haaland for several years Credit: Instagram @jhhaddad

Erling Haaland is a doubt for the Club World Cup Credit: PA

Haaland flew to Spain this week to visit biomechanics expert John Haddad to assess the foot problem he picked up in the defeat at Aston Villa ten days ago.

The Norwegian goal machine, 23, has worked closely with the Lebanon-based former jeweller since 2020 and trusts him to speed up his recovery from injuries.

Two years ago while at Borussia Dortmund, he had a hip injury which improved much quicker than expected after sessions with Haddad who calls himself ‘Mr Fix’.

That led to him being hailed as a ‘miracle man’ by the Norwegian media — with some of his methods and views seen as slightly unorthodox.

This week he went to see him again — along with City’s physio Mario Pafundi.

City boss Pep Guardiola hopes the 19-goal forward will travel to Saudi Arabia with the squad straight after today’s Etihad clash with Crystal Palace.

But he may not play the two games in Jeddah.

Guardiola said: “Erling arrived back on Friday — and the doctors will see him and we will see how he feels. He had treatment away this week.

“Hopefully he can travel to Saudi. We will see if he is able to play in the first game or the second game, or when we come back.

“I don’t think he will play against Palace but maybe he surprises me.”

City face Japanese side Urawa Red Diamonds in Tuesday’s CWC semi-final.

But Guardiola said they remain cautious with Haaland, who missed Sunday’s 2-1 win over Luton.

He said: “Sometimes players recover quickly, longer. The moment he doesn’t have pain he will play.”

Haddad, who runs a clinic in Beirut, is a biomechanics and movement therapist.

He published a book about the true functions of muscles and believes while the human body is complex, it does not need complex methods to heal.

The goal machine picked up a foot problem in City’s shock defeat to Aston Villa ten days ago Credit: Getty

Pep Guardiola is hopeful Manchester City’s main man will be able to travel to Saudi Credit: PA

The Norwegian has sought the help of biomechanics expert John Haddad to be fit for the competition Credit: PA

Haddad also runs a firm that produces glasses that block out specific kinds of light — which Haaland has used to improve his sleep and relaxation.

Meanwhile, Pep does not want his stars to think of the Saudi sunshine as they tackle Palace.

He said: “That is my job — to warn them and make sure they know.

“Always we struggle against Crystal Palace.”