Haaland ruled out for 7 weeks with ankle injury

Manchester City striker Erling Haaland has been ruled out of action for up to seven weeks after suffering an ankle injury.

City manager Pep Guardiola announced this on Tuesday.

Haaland was injured in Sunday’s 2-1 FA Cup quarter-final win at Bournemouth.

Having just scored his 30th goal of the season to level the tie, Haaland was then hurt in a challenge with Bournemouth midfielder Lewis Cook.

City said in a statement on Monday that they expected the 24-year-old Norwegian would be fit in time to play before the end of the season, including the FIFA Club World Cup.

Guardiola said: “The doctors told me between five and seven weeks, so hopefully the end of the season and Club World Cup, he’ll be ready.

“We don’t have another player with his skills or his specific qualities. We know that, but we have to adapt.

“For many years we have played in different ways up front. It depends on the quality of the players. We are going to try to find a solution.”

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When asked how his team will cope without Haaland, Guardiola replied: “We need players with other qualities and bring other players closer to the box.

“Erling’s numbers have been exceptional and is our incredible threat on many things, but we have to adjust in our players.

“I know the players who have a sense of goal more than the other ones. We have to bring them closer to the box.”

Haaland’s absence adds to already lengthy injury list for City this season, with the striker joining Rodri, Nathan Ake, John Stones, and Manuel Akanji on the treatment table.

City are currently fifth in the Premier League and battling to secure a spot in the Champions League next season, with their victory at the weekend setting up an FA Cup semi-final with Nottingham Forest. They will also compete in the Club World Cup in June, in the United States.

Guardiola’s side host struggling Leicester City on Wednesday and face Manchester United at Old Trafford on Sunday.

The Star