Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has confirmed that star striker Erling Haaland may be out of action for up to seven weeks due to an ankle injury.
Haaland was substituted in the second half of City’s 2-1 FA Cup victory over Bournemouth on Sunday after a tackle from Lewis Cook. The Norwegian forward had earlier found the net to help secure City’s place in the semi-finals.
While a club statement on Monday evening noted that Haaland would consult a specialist and expressed hope for a return before season’s end, Guardiola offered a more specific timeline.
“The doctors told me between five and seven weeks, so hopefully the end of the season and Club World Cup, he’ll be ready,” Guardiola told reporters.
The City boss acknowledged the injury woes plaguing the squad this season and expressed sympathy for Haaland and the other injured players.
“Sometimes there are years that these things happen – it’s happened all season.
“It could have been different if it was the end of the season [before the Club World Cup]. With all the injuries we have this season, I’m sorry for them and for Erling as well. Hopefully the recovery is as speedy as possible and he can come back.”
Haaland’s potential absence adds to Manchester City’s growing list of injury concerns as they continue to compete on multiple fronts domestically and in Europe.
