Erling Haaland has been ruled out of a Euro 2024 qualifier for Norway just a week before his Manchester City side face Liverpool in a key Premier League fixture.
Haaland came on at half-time in a 2-0 win over the Faroe Islands on Thursday and though he completed the game, Norway team doctor Ola Sand said he had sustained a “little twist in his ankle”.
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Sand gave a further update on Saturday, ruling Haaland out of Sunday’s qualifier against Scotland because a “blow to the foot,” while “not serious,” had left him in pain.
Unfortunately, I am missing tomorrow’s game against Scotland. Wishing the boys all the best. Now treatment and trying to get back asap 💪🏻🙏🏻🇳🇴
— Erling Haaland (@ErlingHaaland) November 18, 2023
A Norway statement read: “Erling Braut Haaland, in consultation with the medical officer Ola Sand and national team manager Stale Solbakken, has come to the conclusion that he has to miss the European Championship qualifier against Scotland. Haaland hit his foot during the match against the Faroe Islands on Thursday and is therefore not eligible to play in Glasgow.
“The injury is not serious, but he is in so much pain and (has) somewhat restricted function that the Scotland game unfortunately comes a little too early, says national team doctor Ola Sand.”
Norway head coach Stale Solbakken called the injury a “big blow” but reiterated it was not serious.
“It’s a big blow for any team but we have played without him before, sometimes with success, sometimes without,” said Solbakken.
“We started the qualification when he was not ready for the first two games, but after that he has played every single game so it was unfortunate for us that he got the small knock on Thursday.
“It’s the movement in his foot that is the problem but it’s not a serious injury. Had it been a final, I don’t know (if he would have been fit to play).
“All parties agree it is probably a little too early (for him to play) but it is not a career-threatening injury.”
Haaland came off at half-time during City’s 6-1 win over Bournemouth at the start of the month, but played against Young Boys in the Champions League three days later, scoring two goals. He scored another double in a 4-4 draw against Chelsea before the international break.
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City host Liverpool at the Etihad when the Premier League returns on November 25, with just a point separating the sides.
(Photo: Getty Images)
