A composite image of Erling Haaland standing in front of a Man City crest
Injury doubt: Erling Haaland limped off as Manchester City beat Bournemouth to reach the FA Cup semi-finals on Sunday
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Manchester City could be without star striker Erling Haaland through injury as they return to Premier League action against lowly Leicester.
Haaland limped off after scoring the equaliser during Sunday’s dramatic FA Cup quarter-final win away at Bournemouth, having earlier missed a penalty.
The Norwegian international appeared to hurt his left ankle during a challenge by Cherries midfielder Lewis Cook and stayed down for treatment before being replaced by match-winner Omar Marmoush.
He was later spotted limping on crutches and sporting a protective boot as he made his way out of the Vitality Stadium, though Pep Guardiola was unable to offer much of an update straight after the game.
The City boss said only on Haaland: “I don’t know yet, we will have to see.”
City will have been conducting further tests on Haaland, with a new update expected on Tuesday when Guardiola faces the media ahead of Wednesday night’s return to Premier League action at home to relegation-threatened Leicester at the Etihad Stadium.
The Premier League Golden Boot holder will be considered a huge doubt for that match and it remains to be seen if he will be able to play any part on Saturday when soon-to-be deposed champions City, currently embroiled in a fierce fight just to finish in the top four, make the short trip to Old Trafford for a Manchester derby against United.
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They also host Crystal Palace and travel to Everton in the league before their FA Cup semi-final showdown with high-flying Nottingham Forest at Wembley on April 26.
If Haaland is unable to face Leicester, then it seems likely that Marmoush will lead the line instead, supported by the likes of Jeremy Doku and Phil Foden.
Guardiola remains without a host of defenders including Nathan Ake, John Stones and Manuel Akanji, plus Ballon d’Or winner Rodri. Oscar Bobb will hope to be involved for the first time since August after training and being involved in a behind-the-scenes friendly since recovering from a broken leg.
City have options in midfield with Nico Gonzalez making way for Mateo Kovacic against Bournemouth and Bernardo Silva also returning, while Jack Grealish and James McAtee will also be pushing for further chances and 20-year-old Nico O’Reilly could be handed a league start after shining off the bench with two assists on Sunday.
Ederson returned from injury in goal at the weekend to replace Stefan Ortega, while Ruben Dias and Abdukodir Khusanov should continue at centre-back among City’s aforementioned injury issues. Matheus Nunes and Rico Lewis are fighting for the right-back job.
PredictedMan City XI: Ederson, Lewis, Khusanov, Dias, Gvardiol, Gonzalez, Gundogan, Silva, Foden, Doku, Marmoush
Injured: Rodri, Ake, Akanji, Stones
Doubts: Haaland, Bobb
Time and date: 7:45pm BST on Wednesday April 2, 2025
Venue: Etihad Stadium, Manchester