‘In so much pain’ – Doctor confirms Erling Haaland will miss Norway’s clash against Scotland with foot injury

Manchester City striker Erling Haaland has been ruled out of Norway’s qualifier against Scotland with an ankle injury.

On Thursday, during a friendly match between Norway and the Faroe Islands in Oslo, the Manchester City striker suffered a blow to his foot.

Norway team doctor Ola Sand stated after the match that the issue was a recurrence of the ankle problem that forced Haaland off at half-time in City’s victory over Bournemouth earlier this month, and revealed that he had been in contact with the club’s medical staff over the situation.

It is now official that Haaland will not play in Norway’s final Euro 2024 qualifying match on Sunday when they travel to Scotland.

In a statement on the Norwegian Football Federation’s official website on Saturday, team doctor Ola Sand said: “The injury is not serious, but he is in so much pain and somewhat restricted function that the Scotland game unfortunately comes a little too early.”

The Premier League champions will now be sweating on his fitness as they welcome Jurgen Klopp’s Reds to the Etihad in just seven days’ time.

It is the latest injury issue facing Guardiola’s side a after Ederson pulled out of the Brazil squad and Rodri missed Spain’s match against Cyprus after feeling “discomfort”.

There are also doubts over the fitness of Nathan Ake and Matheus Nunes, while John Stones, Kevin De Bruyne, Sergio Gomez and Mateo Kovacic all remain unavailable.

The news panicked some Man City fans, with one bemoaning: “He needs to be ready for Liverpool.” Another sighed: “What is it with Man City’s international break curse.”

But some theorised it’s all part of a Pep Guardiola masterplan, with one claiming: “Pep making sure the squad is healthy for Liverpool.” And a second commented: “Liverpool don’t know what’s coming their way.”