Erling Haaland, the Manchester City forward, is set to miss up to seven weeks

due to an ankle injury, as confirmed by manager Pep Guardiola. Haaland sustained the injury during the team's FA Cup quarter-final win against Bournemouth on Sunday after a challenge from Lewis Cook. The Norwegian striker had earlier scored in the match as City triumphed 2-1.

In a statement issued by the club, it was revealed that Haaland would consult a specialist for further treatment, but the club remains hopeful that he will make a recovery in time to feature before the conclusion of the season.

Manchester City are currently battling for a top-four finish to secure their spot in next season's UEFA Champions League. The team’s win over Bournemouth has also secured a place in the FA Cup semi-finals, where they will face Nottingham Forest. Furthermore, City will be participating in the Club World Cup this summer in the United States.

As of now, Haaland has been in sensational form this season, having scored 21 goals in the Premier League alone. His goal-scoring prowess has been crucial to Manchester City's attack and their bid for silverware across multiple competitions this season.

Guardiola went further to add a timescale to any potential absence, telling a pre-Leicester press conference: "The doctors told me between five and seven weeks, so hopefully the end of the season and Club World Cup, he'll be ready.

"Sometimes there are years that these things happen - it's happened all season. It could have been different if it was the end of the season [before the Club World Cup]. With all the injuries we have this season, I'm sorry for them and for Erling as well. Hopefully the recovery is as speedy as possible and he can come back.

"We don't have another player with his skills or specific qualities, but we have to adapt. For many years, we played with different ways up front. It depends on the quality of the players. We are going to try and find a solution."

When asked how his team will cope without Haaland, Guardiola replied: "We need players with other qualities and bring other players closer to the box.

"Erling's numbers have been exceptional and is our incredible threat on many things, but we have to adjust in our players.

"I know the players who have a sense of goal more than the other ones. We have to bring them closer to the box."

Haaland's absence adds to already lengthy injury list for Man City this season, with the striker joining Rodri, Nathan Ake, John Stones and Manuel Akanji on the treatment table.