Erling Haaland has been ruled out of Manchester City’s Premier League game at Newcastle on Saturday because of a foot injury that has kept him sidelined since early December.
The Norway striker has missed the past eight games in all competitions though he’s still the co-leading scorer in the league with 14 goals.
Haaland has missed City’s last eight games with a foot injury suffered in early December in a major blow to their hopes of retaining the Premier League title.
Pep Guardiola had hoped to welcome the 23-year-old back early in the new year, but the problem is proving more troublesome than expected.
Haaland is not yet back in full training in a concerning development for City.
Guardiola hopes the Norway star can step up his rehabilitation when City travel to Abu Dhabi for a warm-weather training camp after Saturday’s Premier League game at Newcastle.
“Yes, a little bit of disturbing problems in his feet. It’s fine but the doctors decided to stop for one week and maybe restart in Abu Dhabi,” Guardiola told reporters on Friday.
“Hopefully at the end of this month he’ll be ready. It was a little bit more than we expected in the beginning.
“It’s the bone. It needs time. With every injury you can do whatever you want but it’s a question of time.”
The 23-year-old Haaland, who has returned to training, has also scored five goals in Champions League play this campaign.
Playmaking midfielder Kevin De Bruyne is set for more minutes Saturday, possibly as a starter for the defending champions as they look to pull within two points of league leader Liverpool.
The Belgium international returned from a hamstring injury Sunday as a second-half substitute in City’s 5-0 win over Huddersfield in the FA Cup. Right on cue, De Bruyne provided an assist on Jeremy Doku’s goal.
Guardiola said the midfielder looks “really good (and) dynamic” and indicated he’s ready to start.
Jack Grealish was expected back in training Friday after an illness.
The team will head to Abu Dhabi after the match at St. James’ Park for some warm-weather training ahead of its next game — at Tottenham on Jan. 26 in the fourth round of the FA Cup.
(With inputs from Agencies)
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