Manchester City striker Erling Haaland could be out of action for up to seven weeks, manager Pep Guardiola has said.
The prolific Norwegian suffered an ankle injury in Sunday's FA Cup quarter-final victory at Bournemouth.
The setback will rule the 24-year-old out for most of the rest of the domestic campaign but City are hopeful he will still be able to play some part, and then feature at the Club World Cup.
Guardiola said: "Sometimes there are years where these kind of things happen and it's happened all season.
"All the injuries that we’ve had this season – I’m so sorry for them and for Erling as well. We want him to recover as quickly as possible and come back.
"The doctors told me between five and seven weeks, so hopefully for the end of the season and the Club World Cup he will be ready."
Haaland’s absence is a major blow to City’s hopes of securing qualification for the Champions League.
The forward had just struck his 30th goal of the campaign to equalise in the 2-1 win at the Vitality Stadium when he was hurt in a challenge with Cherries midfielder Lewis Cook.
Sunday’s derby at Manchester United in the Premier League and the FA Cup semi-final against Nottingham Forest on 26 or 27 April are among the key games Haaland will miss.
The FA Cup final – which City still hope to reach – takes place on 17 May, a day short of seven weeks after he suffered the injury.
Their final Premier League game is at Fulham on 25 May, with City’s first match in the Club World Cup against Wydad Casablanca being played in the United States on 18 June.
January signing Omar Marmoush could be given an extended run in the side in Haaland’s place.
Guardiola, speaking at a press conference to preview Wednesday’s clash with Leicester at the Etihad Stadium, said: "We don’t have another player with his skills or his specific qualities.
"We know that, but we have to adapt. For many years we’ve played different ways up front.
"It depends on the quality of the players. We are going to try to find a solution."
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