Manchester City striker Erling Haaland has been ruled out of Norway’s first Euro 2024 qualifiers due to injury.
Haaland, 22, suffered a groin injury after scoring a hat-trick in City’s 6-0 FA Cup quarter-final win over Burnley on Saturday.
As a result, he will miss Norway’s Group A games against Spain and Georgia.
“Erling took it hard when he realized he couldn’t fight for the team,” Norway coach Stale Solbakken explained.
“Fortunately, this group still has plenty of self-confidence, talent, and cohesion to win points in the upcoming matches.”
Ola Sand, the doctor for Norway’s national team, added: “After undergoing tests and examinations yesterday, it was determined that he would not be available for the games against Spain and Georgia. It is preferable that he receives medical attention at his club.”
Since making his debut for Norway as a 19-year-old in September 2019, Haaland has scored 21 goals in 23 appearances.
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His treble for City against Burnley brought his season total to 42 goals in 37 games in all competitions, including five in a 7-0 thrashing of RB Leipzig in the Champions League earlier this month.
Pep Guardiola’s team is second in the Premier League, eight points behind leaders Arsenal with a game in hand, and will play Liverpool at Etihad Stadium on April 1.
They will also face Bayern Munich in the Champions League quarter-finals and Sheffield United in the FA Cup semi-finals at Wembley Stadium next month.