Erling Haaland of Manchester City
Erling Haaland of Manchester City (Image: Catherine Ivill - AMA/Getty Images)
Newcastle United's top-four rivals Manchester City have been dealt a major injury blow with Premier League football set to return.
The Magpies are currently preparing for their return to top-flight duties as they face Brentford at St James' Park on Wednesday night. Newcastle will be looking to secure all three points to boost their chances of qualifying for the Champions League.
Victory in the Carabao Cup final last month guaranteed Newcastle a place in the Europa League next season. Eddie Howe and Co. will have ambitions of qualifying for the Champions League, though, via their position in the top flight table.
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Newcastle are currently in sixth place and battling with a host of clubs to finish in the top four. Chelsea are currently in fourth, while Man City are fifth, with just two points separating all three clubs, while Brighton are level on points in seventh.
With Premier League football set to return, Man City have been handed a major injury blow ahead of the season's run-in. Erling Haaland suffered an ankle injury during their FA Cup quarter-final win over Bournemouth at the weekend, with manager Pep Guardiola confirming the striker is set for an extended spell on the sidelines.
"The doctors told me between five and seven weeks [out]," Guardiola told reporters on Tuesday, via the Manchester Evening News. "So hopefully for the end of season and FIFA Club World Cup he will be ready."
The injury will be a major blow to Man City's chances of competing with Newcastle for a Champions League place over the final nine matches of the season.
While the Magpies will have ambitions of finishing in fourth, it's possible that fifth may be enough to qualify for the competition, provided England ranks sufficiently well enough in UEFA's coefficient.