Haaland injury is false alarm for Pep's Blues

ERLING Haaland will be assessed on a week-by-week basis regarding his injury, but City will be all too aware of the risks of rushing him back ahead of schedule.

- JOE BRAY

Haaland had started all but one game this season, the exception being City’s Carabao Cup defeat at Newcastle, before missing the Premier League win at Luton. However, he was not risked in last month’s international for Norway at Scotland due to an ankle injury, ambiguously described as a foot issue by his team doctor.

Now, having suffered a ‘stress’ on the bone on his foot, Haaland looks set for a couple of weeks out minimum, with Guardiola refusing to put a timescale on his return. “Hopefully he can be ready for Saudi Arabia [in the Club World Cup],” he said. “Week-by-week will dictate how he feels.”

There’s every chance, then, that Haaland could be out until Christmas, depending on how well he recovers.

Given his importance to the team, it will be key to ensure he is not rushed back before he is fully ready, given how much he will be needed in the new year.