Erling Haaland has withdrawn from the Norway squad for their upcoming European qualifiers against Spain and Georgia with a groin issue, the Norwegian FA has announced.
It is stated that the 22-year-old had some pain in his groin following his sixth Manchester City hat-trick of the season against Burnley and that following further examinations on Monday, it was clear that he would not be able to participate for the national team this month.
Norway team doctor Ola Sand has therefore suggested that Haaland should receive medical follow-up at City, with the striker travelling home from the national team as a result.
The severity of the issue is yet to be confirmed, but with about ten days off until Pep Guardiola's side are back in action, the hope will be that Haaland will be fit and raring to go after the break, with City set to face Liverpool at the Etihad on April 1st for a lunchtime kick-off.
Haaland has scored 42 goals in all club competitions this season, and with the current Premier League champions in the hunt for three trophies at the business end of the season, they will need to keep the centre-forward as fresh as possible – something they have managed to do quite well for large parts of the campaign when considering the striker's injury issues at Borussia Dortmund last season.
One will hope that Haaland's withdrawal is nothing more than a precautionary measure as he appeared in good spirits following the conclusion of City's 6-0 win against Burnley in the FA Cup quarter-finals, which saw the club draw Sheffield United in the semi-finals at Wembley.
Written by: @NA1907_
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