Manchester City supporters can breathe a collective sigh of relief after Norway's national team manager confirmed that Erling Haaland's recent injury scare appears to be minor, putting him in contention for this weekend's highly anticipated Manchester derby.
The prolific striker was substituted during Norway's friendly match against the Faroe Islands, immediately raising concerns among City fans about his availability for the crucial Premier League clash against rivals Manchester United.
International Break Concern Turns to Relief
Haaland, who has been in devastating form for both club and country, was withdrawn from the pitch during Norway's comfortable victory. The sight of their star player heading for the bench sparked immediate worry among the Etihad faithful, with memories of last season's injury problems still fresh.
However, Norway manager Stale Solbakken moved quickly to reassure everyone involved: "We could have pushed him to play the second half, but we didn't want to take that risk. It's a minor issue that we believe will resolve quickly."
Derby Day Implications
The news comes as a significant boost for Pep Guardiola's side, who rely heavily on Haaland's goal-scoring prowess. The Norwegian phenomenon has already netted multiple times this season and his presence against United could prove decisive in this fierce rivalry match.
Solbakken emphasised the careful approach taken by the Norwegian medical team: "There was no point in risking anything for a friendly match when such important club fixtures are on the horizon. We made the sensible decision."
City's Striking Concerns
Manchester City have already been dealing with injury concerns in their attacking department, with Kevin De Bruyne facing an extended period on the sidelines. The potential loss of Haaland would have been a devastating blow to their Premier League title defence and Champions League ambitions.
The 23-year-old marksman is expected to return to training with City immediately and undergo assessment by the club's medical staff before a final decision is made on his availability for the derby clash at Old Trafford.
All eyes will be on Etihad Campus this week as Guardiola and his medical team monitor Haaland's condition ahead of what promises to be another explosive chapter in Manchester football history.
