April 24, (THEWILL) – Erling Haaland will be sidelined due to a muscle injury, an absence that will be keenly felt as the Citizens aim to keep the pressure on English Premier League leaders, Arsenal, in their title pursuit. The prolific Norwegian striker has been ruled out of City’s crucial clash against Brighton and Hove Albion on Thursday, after sustaining the injury during the UEFA Champions League quarter-final exit against Real Madrid last week.
Despite Haaland’s 20 EPL goals this season, Pep Guardiola’s side will have to cope without their talismanic forward at the American Express Stadium. City trail Arsenal by four points, though they have two games in hand over the Gunners as the gripping title race enters the final run-in.
Guardiola allayed fears over the severity of Haaland’s issue, suggesting he could return for Sunday’s home game against Nottingham Forest. “Erling is not ready for tomorrow, the other two, they are ready,” the Catalan said, referring to the availability of Phil Foden and John Stones after their own fitness concerns.
The City boss remains optimistic about his side’s chances without their leading marksman. “I know it is not a big issue, but he is not allowed for this game,” Guardiola stated. His team will be boosted by the returns of Foden and Stones as they aim to apply pressure on the pacesetters.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
