MX23RW : Thursday, November 7 17:28:07| >> :60:478:478:

Manchester City's Erling Braut Haaland pulls out of Norway squad through injury

Haaland pulls out of Norway squad through injury
© Reuters
Manchester City forward Erling Braut Haaland will not represent Norway during the international break due to injury.

Manchester City forward Erling Braut Haaland has been forced to withdraw from the Norway squad due to injury.

The 22-year-old is currently enjoying an astonishing season at the Etihad Stadium, scoring 42 goals in all competitions.

Most recently, Haaland has contributed eight strikes in two appearances, despite lasting just 63 minutes against each of RB Leipzig and Burnley.

Haaland first netted five times versus Leipzig in the Champions League before yet another hat-trick in his City career was posted in the FA Cup versus the Clarets.

Ahead of important Euro 2024 qualifiers against Spain and Georgia, Norway had been relying on their talisman to continue his scoring exploits on the international stage.

Erling Braut Haaland celebrates scoring for Manchester City on March 14, 2023© Reuters

Instead, Haaland will be forced to return to City after it was revealed that he had suffered a groin injury during his latest outing for the Premier League giants.

Norwegian team doctor Ola Sand said via a national team statement: "We hoped that this was just a familiarity that would carry over to Saturday, but after doing tests and examinations yesterday it became clear that he will not make it to the games against Spain and Georgia.

"It is better that he receives medical follow-up at the club."

Manager Stale Solbakken added that Haaland "took the news hard" when advised to withdraw with the double-header crucial to his and his team's chances of a rare appearance at a major tournament.

Erling Braut Haaland in action for Norway on September 27, 2022© Reuters

The Scandinavian nation has not qualified for either the World Cup or European Championship since making the 2000 version of the latter.

As well as Spain and Georgia, Scotland and Cyprus also feature in Group A, with the top two teams qualifying for the Finals in Germany next year.

From a Man City perspective, Haaland will want to recover in time to represent his club in their next Premier League fixture, a showdown with Liverpool on April 1.

After that fixture, City have a week off before they travel to Southampton, with the first leg of their Champions League fixture against Bayern Munich taking place on April 11.

ID:509527:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect3526:

Click here for more stories about Erling Braut Haaland

Click here for more stories about Manchester City

Collect / Create New Data
Share this article now:
Aleksandar Mitrovic in action for Serbia on September 27, 2022
Read Next:
Mitrovic outshines Haaland as Serbia pip Norway to top spot
>
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free match previews newsletter! Updates are sent twice a week.
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool108111961325
2Manchester CityMan City1072121111023
3Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest10541147719
4Chelsea105322012818
5Arsenal105321711618
6Aston Villa105321715218
7Tottenham HotspurSpurs1051422111116
8Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton104421714316
9Fulham104331413115
10Bournemouth104331312115
11Newcastle UnitedNewcastle104331010015
12Brentford104151920-113
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd10334912-312
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham103251319-611
15Leicester CityLeicester102441418-410
16Everton102351017-79
17Crystal Palace10145813-57
18Ipswich TownIpswich100551021-115
19Southampton10118719-124
20Wolverhampton WanderersWolves100371427-133


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!