Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has confirmed that Erling Braut Haaland will miss next Wednesday's Champions League fixture against Sevilla due to a ligament injury.
The 22-year-old sustained his injury in the goalless draw against former club Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League on Wednesday, and was subsequently taken off at half time.
Ahead of Saturday's Premier League trip to Leicester City, Guardiola stated that Haaland was 'feeling better', but the Norwegian was not named in City's matchday squad for the 1-0 victory over the Foxes.
Guardiola has since revealed that Haaland will miss next week's final Champions League Group G game at home against Sevilla, with City having already qualified for the last 16 as group winners.
However, the Spanish boss is hopeful that City's No.9 can return for either the Premier League clash with Fulham next Saturday or the EFL Cup third-round tie with Chelsea on November 9.
Asked by BT Sport when Haaland will return from injury, Guardiola said: "I don't know. He has ligament damage. He feels better, we have one more week.
"He won't play against Sevilla because we've already qualified and hopefully against Fulham he can help us. If not he might play against Chelsea in the Carabao Cup."
City have relied heavily on Haaland's presence in the final third so far this season, with the striker netting 22 goals in just 16 appearances across all competitions, including 17 strikes in just 11 Premier League games.
However, the reigning Premier League champions managed to cope without the Norwegian goal machine against Leicester, with a stunning Kevin De Bruyne free kick early in the second half enough to separate the two sides at the King Power Stadium.
Guardiola praised Leicester's tactical approach, with Brendan Rodgers setting up his side with a back five to combat the threat of City's attackers, and the Spanish boss admitted that the Citizens "had to suffer" before getting over the line with maximum points.
"When [Leicester] attacked more it was a game, they decided they could play like we could play and they couldn't adjust," Guardiola added.
"It is important not to get frustrated when you have problems to attack because it is so difficult. It was really complicated.
"A lot of credit to Leicester for what they have done but we did not get frustrated. When they changed the rhythm we could not change the rhythm. We had to suffer."
In the absence of Haaland, De Bruyne ran the show at the King Power Stadium and he has now contributed to 12 goals – three goals and nine assists – in as many Premier League appearances this season.
Guardiola claims De Bruyne has under-performed in recent matches, but he hailed the Belgian's man-of-the-match showing against Leicester.
"He's back. He was not playing good in the last games. [Today] he was amazing. He knows it, he knows it," Guardiola added.
"We needs his dynamic, when he can move in different pockets. What can I say about Kevin? Everyone knows him."
City's victory over Leicester has seen them climb to the top of the Premier League table, one point clear of Arsenal who will return to the summit if they beat Nottingham Forest at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday. body check tags ::
