Manchester City forward Erling Haaland has suffered an injury scare while on international duty with Norway.
The 23-year-old has enjoyed another excellent period of form with last season's treble winners, scoring 17 goals from as many games in all competitions.
Haaland has also been a regular fixture in the Norway XI, but he was only selected among the replacements for Thursday's friendly international with Faroe Islands.
Despite his nation holding a 2-0 lead and ahead of a Euro 2024 qualifier in Scotland on Sunday, Haaland was introduced into the action at half time.
However, towards the end of the game, Haaland went down clutching his ankle, needing treatment but being able to complete the contest.
© Reuters
Recently, Haaland sustained a similar ankle issue during the Premier League fixture with Bournemouth, being required to be withdrawn at the break.
Speaking after Thursday's encounter, Norway team doctor Ola Sand indicated that Haaland had suffered a problem with the same area.
Sand is quoted by Vg as saying: "He got a slight twist in his ankle, where he is a bit vulnerable.
"It hurts a lot right away, and then it goes away pretty quickly. Then we'll see tomorrow how he is then."
© Reuters
Pep Guardiola will now be eager to see how Norway handle the issue, aware that they must avoid defeat against Scotland to earn a spot in the playoffs for Euro 2024.
While the expectation is that Haaland will remain with the squad, whether he appears in the starting lineup or stays among the replacements seems in doubt.
From Man City's perspective, Guardiola will want to have Haaland available for after the international break, the Premier League leaders playing host to Liverpool at the Etihad Stadium on November 25.
That showdown is following by a Champions League meeting with RB Leipzig and a top-flight double header versus Tottenham Hotspur and Aston Villa.
Darren Plant
