Erling Haaland has withdrawn from Norway international duty with groin pain after the game against Burnley in the FA Cup quarter-finals, where he scored another hat-trick, taking his Manchester City total to 42 goals for the season so far. Club sources have provided their outlook on the situation according to reports.
Paul Hirst in The Times reports that City sources have deemed Haaland's groin issue as 'not serious' and described the striker's withdrawal from the national team as 'precautionary', although it is also reported that the club's medical staff are currently unsure whether the player will be available for the game against Liverpool on April 1st after the international break.
Hirst writes that the 22-year-old will undergo further tests at the club to establish how long he will be out upon his return to Manchester.
With City entering the business part of the season, it will become critically important to keep their talismanic striker as close to full strength as possible, with the current Premier League champions gunning for three major trophies.
Pep Guardiola's side have done an impressive job of maintaining Haaland's fitness after a season of many muscular issues plagued his last season at Borussia Dortmund; the big Norwegian still managed to score 29 goals in 30 appearances for the German side.
Haaland did appear in good spirits following the 6-0 win over Burnley in the FA Cup over the weekend and did not appear to require treatment after he was substituted; the hope will be that he is ready to face Jurgen Klopp's side on Saturday lunchtime after a little break over the next week or so.
Written by: @NA1907_
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