Erling Haaland is set to be sidelined for up to seven weeks due to an ankle injury, Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola confirmed on Tuesday.
The 24-year-old Norwegian striker was forced off during Sunday’s 2-1 FA Cup quarterfinal victory against Bournemouth after netting his 30th goal of the season.
City announced on Monday that Haaland would consult a specialist but expected him to return before the season ends, including for this summer’s FIFA Club World Cup.
Providing an update ahead of City’s Premier League clash with Leicester, Guardiola stated, “The doctors told me between five and seven weeks. Hopefully, he will be ready for the end of the season and the FIFA Club World Cup.”
City have battled injuries throughout the campaign, with key players like Ballon d’Or winner Rodri missing extended periods. Guardiola acknowledged Haaland’s absence would be significant but insisted the team must adapt.
“We don’t have another player like Erling, but we will find solutions with the players we have,” he said. “His numbers have been exceptional, but we must adjust and bring more players into the box.”
A seven-week layoff could see Haaland miss most of the Premier League run-in, including City’s FA Cup semi-final against Nottingham Forest in April. The FA Cup final is scheduled for May 17, while City’s final league game is on May 25. Their Club World Cup campaign in the United States begins on June 18.
Despite the setback, Guardiola remains confident in City’s push for a Champions League spot, stating, “We’ve faced tougher situations in the past. We have nine games left, and we know what we need to do.”
AFP
