Man City star Erling Haaland sends four-word message amid fresh injury setback

Manchester City striker Erling Haaland has delivered a message on social media amid his ongoing injury worries.

The 23-year-old is set for more time on the sidelines after doctors advised him against training this week. Haaland has not played since the first week of December and could now miss the rest of this month too.

His absence against Newcastle on Saturday will be the ninth game he has missed through injury this season, three times the number of matches he missed through knocks last year. He may also miss the FA Cup clash with Tottenham and the Premier League bout with Burnley.

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Haaland has taken to Instagram to post an image showing his mouth covered in a black paste mask, writing the caption: “Think outside the box”. Ironically, just two of the attacker’s 50 Premier League goals have come from outside of the box.

In the image, Haaland has clearly worked up a sweat and looks to be in a gym, which is a sign of encouragement for City fans. He is expected to return to group training in next week’s midseason camp in Abu Dhabi.

Haaland could make his comeback to competitive action away at Brentford on February 5, ahead of the home meeting with Everton on February 10. The Blues play the first leg of their Last 16 Champions League tie with FC Copenhagen three days after the visit of the Toffees.

Kevin De Bruyne and Jeremy Doku returned to action against Huddersfield in last weekend’s 5-0 FA Cup tie although Manuel Akanji has been ruled out of the clash with Newcastle, joining John Stones in the physio room.