Manchester City striker Erling Braut Haaland sustains groin injury, withdraws from international duty | OneFootball

Norway have confirmed that Manchester City striker Erling Braut Haaland has withdrawn from international duty.

The 22-year-old has suffered a groin injury and will miss his country’s European Championship qualifiers against Spain and Georgia.

Norway claim Haaland picked up the knock following Man City’s 6-0 FA Cup quarter-final win over Burnley on Sunday.

The former Borussia Dortmund star was withdrawn after 63 minutes having bagged a hat-trick.

However, Man City did not detect anything, and he headed to join his international teammates.

Norway have decided that Haaland should return to the Etihad Stadium club for a medical follow-up.

He is expected back in England so that the club’s medical team can take a further assessment.

Man City will hope the injury does not keep their star striker out of action for long.

They resume their Premier League campaign on April 1, when they play Liverpool at the Etihad Stadium.

It is a game they cannot afford to lose if they want to successfully defend their title.

Man City have found themselves eight points behind Arsenal, but they have a game in hand.

There are 11 league games left for Pep Guardiola’s side this term.

They may need to win all of them to finish top of the league come May.

Being without Haaland for the crucial run-in will be a massive blow.

He has scored 28 goals and claimed five assists in 26 league games this term.

It remains to be seen whether the Norwegian will return to action against Liverpool.

If he does not, Man City have Julian Alvarez as quality cover, and the Argentine will be keen to shine.