Erling Haaland is sidelined for a number of weeks through injury
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Erling Haaland of Manchester City
Erling Haaland of Manchester City(Image: Catherine Ivill - AMA/Getty Images)
Manchester City striker Erling Haaland faces a race to be fit for the end of the season after suffering an ankle injury in the FA Cup win over Bournemouth on Sunday.
The frontman was forced off in the second half with what was later confirmed as an ankle injury that will keep him sidelined for a number of weeks. Boss Pep Guardiola confirmed in his press conference on Monday that the early diagnosis was between five and seven weeks out.
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That leaves his participation in the run-in in doubt with the prognosis offering hope of a return before the end of the campaign. That could include a potential FA Cup final and the final day of the Premier League season when City visit to Fulham with the possibility of needing a result to secure Champions League football next term.
If Haaland is out for five weeks, he could return to action for the trip to Southampton on May 10, ahead of a possible FA Cup final the following week. In that scenario would also be available for the final day, while City will have at least one fixture (against Aston Villa) rearranged and the possibility of their league game with Bournemouth being moved should the Blues reach the FA Cup final.
Should the timescale reach the full seven weeks then the season-ending game with Fulham would be the first available date for the Norwegian to return. Depending on what is at stake in that fixture, City might not take any risks with the forward ahead of a busy summer which includes the Club World Cup in June.
Speaking on Tuesday ahead of the game with Leicester, Guardiola said: “The doctors told me between five and seven weeks. So hopefully for the end of season and FIFA Club World Cup he will be ready.
“Sometimes there are years where these kinds of things happen. It’s happened all season. I would say it could have been different if it was at the end of season.
“All injuries that happen all season I am sorry for them and I am sorry for Erling too. As quick a recovery as possible to come back.
“We don’t have another player with his skills or specific qualities we know that but we have to adapt.
“For many years we play with different ways up front and it depends on the qualities of the players we’re going to find another solution.
“We will find a solution for the players that we have with different skills and qualities. We will find that.”
City released a statement on Monday evening confirming Haaland was set for a spell on the sidelines.
It read: "Manchester City FC can confirm that Erling Haaland has suffered an injury to his left ankle.
"The Norwegian striker sustained the injury during Sunday’s FA Cup quarter-final victory away at AFC Bournemouth.
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"Erling underwent initial tests in Manchester on Monday morning and will now seek specialist consultation to confirm the full extent of the injury.
"Assessment remains ongoing to ascertain a full prognosis. The expectation is that Erling will be fit in time to play a further part in the remainder of this season, including this summer’s FIFA Club World Cup. Everyone at the Club wishes Erling a speedy recovery"