Pep Guardiola provided a more detailed update on Friday, ruling Haaland out of Wednesday’s Premier League clash with Leicester and this weekend’s Manchester derby at Manchester United.

Guardiola said the striker could return before the end of the campaign saying: “The doctors told me between five and seven weeks [out]. So hopefully for the end of season and FIFA Club World Cup he will be ready.”

That timescale could see Haaland return in time for a potential FA Cup final on May 17 and the final Premier League fixture of the campaign on May 25 at Fulham. The Club World Cup runs from June 14 to July 13.

Guardiola added: “Sometimes there are years when these kinds of things happen. It happened all season. I would say that it could have been different if it was the end of the season [before the Club World Cup].

“So with all the injuries we have had this season, I’m so sorry for them and for Erling as well. So [I wish him] a good recovery, as speedy as possible, then come back.”

The absence of Haaland will likely see Omar Marmoush lead the line after the Egypt international came off the bench to score the winner at Bournemouth on Sunday. He has five goals in 11 appearances since arriving at the Etihad.

“We will find a solution from the players that we have,” added Guardiola on covering Haaland’s absence. “They all have different skills and qualities. We will have another one [striker].

“We don’t have another player with his skills or his specific qualities. We know that. But we have to adapt. Since many years we play for different ways up front. It depends on the quality of the players. We are going to try to find a solution.”

The news means Haaland is expected to miss the following fixtures:

April 2 – Leicester (H)
April 6 – Manchester United (A)
April 12 – Crystal Palace (H)
April 19 – Everton (A)
April 26/27 – Nottingham Forest (FA Cup, date to be confirmed)
May 2 – Wolves (H)
May 10 – Southampton (A)

[NB – City also play Aston Villa at home, which was originally scheduled for April 28 but that game will be rearranged after City progressed to the FA Cup semi-finals. If they reach the FA Cup final, the home fixture vs Bournemouth will also be rearranged.]

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