Manchester City have suffered an injury scare with striker Erling Haaland pulling out of Norway’s Euro 2024 qualifiers because of a groin problem.
Haaland picked up the injury after scoring a hat-trick in City’s 6-0 victory over Burnley in their FA Cup quarter-final on Saturday.
The 22-year-old will miss Norway’s games against Spain and Georgia to receive treatment back in Manchester.
A statement from the Norwegian FA confirmed that national team doctors had advised for Haaland to return to City and ‘receive medical follow-up at the club’.
Norway’s head coach Ståle Solbakken said: ‘Erling took it hard when he realised that he could not fight for the team.
Erling Haaland will miss out on Norway’s upcoming Euros qualifiers against Spain and Georgia
The in-form striker reportedly picked up a groin injury during Man City’s 6-0 win over Burnley
‘Fortunately, there is still plenty of self-confidence, talent and cohesion in this group to win points in the next matches.
Norway take on Spain on Saturday before they play Georgia just three days later, with Haaland missing both games.
The 22-year-old was substituted in the 62nd minute against Burnley having already scored a hat-trick.
Pep Guardiola had joked that the forward was substituted off to ensure he couldn’t break Lionel Messi’s record but it seems that it may have also been to prevent aggravation to the injury.
Haaland took his season’s tally to 42 with a sixth hat-trick of the campaign in the win over Burnley as he continued his fine form in his first season at City,
Norway manager Stale Solbakken confirmed that Haaland would not be fit for Norway’s games
Speaking after being awarded man of the match, Haaland said: ‘No, I have not [set myself that as a target].
‘I’m a striker, I love to score goals, but my focus is not on scoring goals but on getting the chances. If I get the chances, there’s a good chance I’ll score.’
Haaland added that he was happy for the team after ‘impressive’ recent results.
City boss Guardiola will be hopeful that Haaland will be available for their next Premier League fixture, which sees them take on Liverpool at the Etihad on April 1st.