Norway have confirmed Erling Haaland’s return to Man City is not injury related
Manchester City have received a timely boost with Norway releasing Erling Haaland from international duty earlier than expected.
Haaland starred for his national team at the weekend, scoring yet another hat-trick to bring up his 50th goal for his country as Norway thumped Isreal 5-0 to take a significant step towards World Cup qualification.
Norway, who haven’t qualified for a major tournament since Euro 2000, are sitting top of Group I with an 100 per cent winning record after six games.
Due to their superior goal difference, qualification for the World Cup next summer is effectively guaranteed but Italy remain hot on their heels and play their game in hand against Isreal this week.
Norway resume their qualification campaign during the November international break, though have a friendly scheduled against New Zealand in Oslo on Tuesday.
However, Haaland will play no part of the fixture as he is one of five players returning to their respective club sides.
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A statement from the Norway FA reads: "Sebastian Sebulonsen is in the Norwegian national team squad, he and Sverre Nypan are participating in today's training.
"Players with particularly tight match schedules are returning home: Alexander Sorloth, Julian Ryerson, Erling Braut Haaland and Fredrik Bjorkan. Felix Horn Myhre is leaving the squad due to a sore ankle."
Boost: Erling Haaland
Haaland returning to Man City with their fixture list in mind is a massive boost for Pep Guardiola’s side as they will play seven games across three competitions in just 22 days.
This includes fixtures against the likes of Everton, Villarreal, Aston Villa, Borussia Dortmund and Liverpool.
Haaland will be key to Man City’s hopes of maintaining their recent up-turn in form having started the season superbly with 12 goals in nine appearances, while he has netted nine goals in three Norway appearances.