Manchester City have been dealt a blow in their hopes of lifting the Club World Cup after Erling Haaland was ruled out of the tournament.
Haaland was initially registered in City’s 23-man squad for Tuesday’s semi-final against Urawa Red Diamonds but his foot problem hasn’t sufficiently cleared up.
City removed the Norwegian from their roster shortly before the last four encounter – with Kevin De Bruyne and Jeremy Doku also ruled out of a potential final with Fluminense on Friday.
De Bruyne trained for a full session here in Jeddah on Monday night but his comeback from a lengthy recovery from hamstring surgery was unlikely to come in Saudi Arabia.
Doku, the flying winger who has lit up the Premier League in his debut season, is still nursing a hamstring problem.
Manchester City have suffered a blow with Erling Haaland ruled out of the Club World Cup
A well as Haaland, Jeremy Doku and Kevin De Bruyne are also out of the tournament
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The news regarding Haaland will be frustrating for City manager Pep Guardiola
All three were given the opportunity to prove their fitness but were replaced by youngsters Max Alleyne, Mahamadou Susoho and Micah Hamilton.
Haaland has missed matches against Luton and Crystal Palace, with Pep Guardiola preferring a return to a false nine system for their clash with Urawa, dropping Julian Alvarez to the bench.
