Erling Haaland has hinted that he is not far from a comeback despite initially being ruled out for the season. The Norwegian striker was injured earlier this month in Manchester City’s FA Cup victory against Bournemouth.
After being spotted leaving the Vitality Stadium wearing a protective boot, City boss Pep Guardiola then suggested that Haaland’s campaign was over. Speaking in a press conference, he said: “Doctors told me five to seven weeks. He’ll be back at the end of the season and for the Club World Cup will be ready.”
Writing on Instagram at the time, Haaland appeared to be in good spirits. He posted an image of himself holding his crutches up in the air with the caption: “I’ll be back.” And it appears that promise could soon be set to come true after his latest social media activity. The striker has shared a video on Instagram of him running inside a club gym before saying: “We’re getting there.”
Haaland had scored 30 goals in 40 games before his injury. But City have found some decent form since his absence, having gone undefeated since he was ruled out.
His back-up Omar Marmoush has scored six Premier League goals since his arrival from Eintracht Frankfurt. That form follows Guardiola’s promise that City would find a way to cope without their star striker.
He said: “We will find a solution … We don’t have another player with his [Haaland’s] skills or specific qualities. We have to adapt. We need players with other qualities and we have to bring more players with a sense of goal close to the box.
“That’s for sure. Because of course Erling’s numbers again have been exceptional and he is our incredible threat for many things, for the long balls, for the sense of goal.”
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City are next back in action this weekend against Everton and will hope to take a significant step towards securing a Champions League spot. Guardiola’s side currently sit fifth in the table – a position that would be enough to see them return to Europe’s top table.
They also have an FA Cup semi-final to consider with an upcoming clash with Nottingham Forest to come at Wembley later this month.
Guardiola will also be attempting to navigate the restricted Club World Cup for the first time, City having been drawn to face Wydad AC, Al Ain and Juventus in the group stages in June.
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