It is back to the drawing board for Pep Guardiola after he revealed star striker Erling Haaland is set to miss up to seven weeks with an ankle injury as Manchester City host Leicester City.
The Norway international is generally the first name on the City team sheet, but hurt his left ankle in a challenge by Bournemouth midfielder Lewis Cook in a 1-2 FA Cup quarter-final win on Sunday. He received treatment and attempted to play on but soon signalled to the bench that he could not continue and was replaced by eventual match-winner Omar Marmoush.
He was later spotted leaving the Vitality Stadium on crutches and sporting a protective boot as he made his way out of the Vitality Stadium, though Pep Guardiola was unable to offer much of an update straight after the game.
The City boss said only on Haaland: “I don’t know yet, we will have to see.”
Guardiola has since confirmed that Haaland will miss up to seven weeks, with the striker’s earliest return date being City’s last match of the season - an away match at Craven Cottage.
“The doctors told me between five and seven weeks. So hopefully the end of the season and the Club World Cup he will be ready,” he said at his pre-Leicester press conference on Tuesday.
The Premier League Golden Boot holder will play no part when soon-to-be deposed champions City, currently embroiled in a fierce fight just to finish in the top four, make the short trip to Old Trafford for a Manchester derby against United at the weekend.
They also host Crystal Palace and travel to Everton in the league before their FA Cup semi-final showdown with high-flying Nottingham Forest at Wembley on the weekend of April 26/27.
With Haaland unavailable to face Leicester, Guardiola has turned to Marmoush to lead the line alongside Jeremy Doku and Jack Grealish.
“We don't have another player with his skills or specific qualities,” Guardiola admitted.
"Erling's numbers have been exceptional. He is an incredible threat for long balls and to the centre of goal. We will have to adjust with other players.”
Guardiola remains without a host of defenders, including Nathan Ake, John Stones and Manuel Akanji, plus Ballon d’Or winner Rodri. Oscar Bobb is involved in a matchday squad for the first time since August after training and being involved in a behind-the-scenes friendly since recovering from a broken leg.
City have options in midfield with Nico Gonzalez replacing Mateo Kovacic, whilst Nico O’Reilly is rewarded with a league start after shining off the bench with two assists on Sunday.
Man City XI: Ederson, Nunes, Dias (C), Gvardiol, O’Reilly, Nico, Gundogan, Savinho, Grealish, Doku, Marmoush
SUBS: Ortega Moreno, Kovacic, De Bruyne, Bernardo, Reis, Foden, Bobb, Lewis, McAtee
