Erling Haaland faces a race against time to return before the end of the season in a crushing blow to Manchester City.
The Norwegian came off in the second half of City’s FA Cup win over Bournemouth on Sunday with an ankle injury after an awkward fall.
Haaland had scored his 30th goal of the season to equalise in the 2-1 victory when he was hurt in a tussle with Cherries’ Lewis Cook.
The 24-year-old was spotted wearing a protective boot after limping out of the Vitality Stadium.
Haaland underwent initial tests on his ankle on Monday, and City tentatively claimed their talisman would return this season.
However, the full extent of the injury has since been revealed following a visit to a specialist, and it’s not good news for the club.
How long is Haaland out for?
Man City manager Pep Guardiola has confirmed that he will be without his star striker for up to seven weeks.
“Sometimes there are years when this kind of thing happens – it has happened all season,” Guardiola said on Tuesday.
“With all of the injuries we’ve had this season, I am so sorry for them, and I am sorry for Erling as well.
“I wish him a good recovery and to be back as quick as possible.”
When asked about when Haaland would be back, he replied: “The doctors told me he would be out for between five and seven weeks.
“Hopefully, he’ll be back for the end of the season and the Club World Cup.”
Guardiola’s side, still facing a battle to qualify for next season’s Champions League, will definitely be without Haaland this month.
That includes matches against Leicester, live on talkSPORT 2, and the Manchester derby against Ruben Amorim‘s United this weekend.
Haaland will be then sidelined for a visit from Crystal Palace and a trip to Everton, as well as their FA Cup semi-final against Nottingham Forest.
Should Haaland be absent for the entirety of his seven-week timeline, he could also miss a potential FA Cup final at Wembley on May 17.
It could put him in line for a return on the last day of the Premier League campaign away at Fulham on May 25.
Regardless, City expect Haaland to be fit for the Club World Cup, which gets underway on June 18 against Moroccan side Wydad AC.
Omar Marmoush will lead the line in Haaland’s absence, having scored City’s winner on Sunday following the latter’s injury.
The £59million January signing from Eintracht Frankfurt has already scored five goals in eight starts for City – including one hat-trick.
“We will find a solution from the players that we have,” added Guardiola.
“They all have different skills and qualities. We will have another one [striker].”
