Man City dealt huge injury worry as Erling Haaland spotted limping on Norway duty

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COMMENTSManchester City will be sweating over the fitness of Erling Haaland after the striker was taken off during Norway’s final Nations League game of the international break.

The striker, playing for his country against Portugal, was substituted in the 67th minute, replaced by Crystal Palace forward Jorgen Strand Larsen.

The Man City man seemed to be indicating towards the bench that he was hurt, and he gestured that he wanted to be withdrawn.

It remains to be seen what the 26-year-old’s injury is, or quite what the extent might be, but it will come as a major worry to Enzo Maresca, after a torrid few weeks for the Italian and City as a club after their guilty verdict from the independent commission over their 114 financial breaches.

City will be anxious to get their star man back to England for immediate assessment, with a big game against Liverpool their first back after the international break as the Premier League resumes.

Discomfort: Erling HaalandAFP/GettyHaaland was sacrificed at 1-1 in Porto, where Stale Solbakken’s side had gone ahead thanks to Brentford defender Kristoffer Ajer’s stunning volley on 36 minutes.

Joao Cancelo equalised just two minutes later, and the sides went in level at the interval.

Haaland was since taken off with 23 minutes of regulation time to play, and Goncalo Ramos netted on 79 minutes to turn the game on its head and into the hosts’ favour.

Haaland’s potential injury overshadows the other big talking point of the match, which saw Cristiano Ronaldo not involved after the veteran sensationally quit the Portugal camp after being excluded for the first encounter between these two sides a fortnight ago in Oslo.

An alleged rift between the former Manchester United forward and manager Jorge Jesus prompted the 41-year-old to depart the camp and head to Madrid, leaving his international future in jeopardy.