Norway manager issues major update on Oscar Bobb’s recovery from surgery | OneFootball

Ståle Solbakken has issued a promising update on the fitness of Oscar Bobb, after the Manchester City forward underwent surgery for a leg fracture.

The 21-year-old has been heartbreakingly sidelined for the opening months of the 2024/25 season due to a fractured leg injury suffered during first-team training at the City Football Academy last month ahead of a Premier League clash against Chelsea.

Bobb underwent surgery and rehabilitation for the injury in Barcelona, and is expected to miss an initial three to four months of the campaign, ruling the forward out of fixtures in a number of competitions for both Manchester City and Norway.

The forward had been set to play an increased role in Pep Guardiola’s plans following the club-record sale of Julian Alvarez to Atletico Madrid, with the Norwegian youngster having impressed throughout a four-match pre-season tour of the United States.

Bobb also starred during Manchester City’s FA Community Shield win over Manchester United at Wembley Stadium, and featured 26 times for the Sky Blues last season, including making 14 Premier League appearances.

The 21-year-old played an important role in Manchester City’s retention of the Premier League title, scoring a dramatic last-gasp winner during a 2-3 win over Newcastle at St James’ Park in late January.

The winger is expected to target a return to the field in the new year, and as well as missing matches for Manchester City, Bobb is also missing crucial UEFA Nations League fixtures for Norway this month.

Norwegian manager Ståle Solbakken has provided an update on Bobb’s recovery ahead of fixtures against both Kazakhstan and Austria this month, revealing that the 21-year-old is already “counting down the days” to return.

Speaking ahead of Norway’s first Nations League fixture, Solbakken said: “He has been in rehabilitation in Barcelona and has been followed up, everything is fine. I spoke with him on the phone 10 days ago, and he was surprisingly positive. He is counting down the days.”

Manchester City have two Norwegian representatives within their first-team squad, with Erling Haaland set to be involved in the two upcoming national fixtures.