Erling Haaland could be out of action for "between five and seven weeks" after injuring his left ankle during Manchester City's 2-1 FA Cup quarter-final win at AFC Bournemouth on Sunday.
That was the update delivered by City manager Pep Guardiola in his pre-match press conference today (Tuesday), as he prepares for the first match of Haaland's absence, Wednesday night's Premier League fixture against Leicester City.
"The doctors told me between five and seven weeks," said Guardiola, as quoted on City's official X account. "So hopefully for the end of season and FIFA Club World Cup he will be ready."
The matches Haaland could miss
If Haaland is unavailable for the longest time frame stated, seven weeks, he would miss nine matches if the postponed home fixture with Aston Villa is rearranged within that period.
City's fixtures in next seven weeks
2 April Leicester (H)
6 April Man Utd (A)
12 April Crystal Palace (H)
19 April Everton (A)
26/27 April* Nott'm Forest (N)
2 May Wolves (H)
10 May Southampton (A)
18 May Bournemouth (H)
Date TBC Aston Villa (H)
*FA Cup semi-final. All other fixtures in Premier League.
That would make Sunday 25 May the potential return date for Haaland, with City travelling to Fulham on the final day of the Premier League season.
City's three group-stage matches in the Club World Cup - against Wydad AC, Al Ain and Juventus - are scheduled for 18, 23 and 26 June respectively.
How the injury happened
Haaland was substituted in the 61st minute at Bournemouth, having scored the equaliser with his 30th goal of the season in all competitions, as City came from behind to secure a semi-final meeting with Nottingham Forest.
The Norwegian appeared to catch his ankle while crashing into the advertising boards on the side of the pitch and was later seen in a protective boot and on crutches as he headed for the team bus.
How will City cover Haaland's absence?
Guardiola admitted that City would have to change their approach to cope without their top goalscorer.
"We don’t have another player with his skills or specific qualities, we know that, but we have to adapt," Guardiola told Man City's official website.
"For many years we play with different ways up front and it depends on the qualities of the players.
"We’re going to find another solution. We will find a solution for the players that we have with different skills and qualities. We will find that."
On Sunday, Omar Marmoush came on to replace Haaland and had an instant impact, scoring the winner against Bournemouth. That was the Egyptian's fifth goal since joining City from Eintracht Frankfurt in January.
Marmoush also netted in City's most recent league outing, last month's 2-2 draw with Brighton & Hove Albion, after Haaland opened the scoring to become the quickest player to reach 100 goal involvements in the Premier League.