Haaland excluded from Norway squad for Ireland trip

Norwegian superstar Erling Haaland will not feature in this week's game against Ireland at the Aviva Stadium.

Man City striker Haaland, who has logged a bewildering tally of 18 goals in his first 13 games at the Etihad Stadium, was pegged as the chief attraction ahead of Thursday's friendly, for which 45,000 tickets had already been sold.

However, Norway boss Stale Solbakken has opted to rest the striker ahead of their home game against Scandinavian neighbours Finland on Sunday.

The Norwegian manager has added Mads Hedenstad Christiansen (of Lillestrom) and Sivert Heggheim Mannsverk (Molde) to the squad.

Stephen Kenny has already named his squad for the upcoming window, with Will Smallbone and Evan Ferguson among the new call-ups.