Manchester City send Erling Haaland to specialist over worrying ankle injury

Manchester City expect Erling ­Haaland to play again this season despite their top scorer sustaining a potentially serious ankle injury in Sunday’s FA Cup win at Bournemouth that requires “specialist consultation” to determine the extent of his layoff.

Haaland was forced off after 61 minutes at the Vitality Stadium, being replaced by Omar Marmoush. While the Egyptian scored the winner that took City into a semi-final against Nottingham Forest, Haaland’s availability for the tie, to be played on either 26 or 27 April, is in the balance.

When the 24-year-old will be fit to help City’s bid for Champions League qualification is also unclear. Pep Guardiola’s team are in fifth place on 48 points with nine matches left.

A City statement said: “Manchester City FC can confirm that Erling Haaland has suffered an injury to his left ankle. Erling underwent initial tests in Manchester on Monday morning and will now seek specialist consultation to confirm the full extent of the injury. Assessment remains ongoing to ascertain a full prognosis.

“The expectation is that Erling will be fit in time to play a further part in the remainder of this season, including this summer’s Fifa Club World Cup. Everyone at the club wishes Erling a speedy recovery.”