Erling Haaland has been ruled out of Manchester City's Premier League match against Newcastle on Saturday due to a foot injury, and is likely to be sidelined until the end of January.
The Norwegian striker has missed the last eight games in all competitions, although he remains the league's top scorer with 14 goals. Haaland has not played since the 1-0 loss to Aston Villa on December 6.
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“Hopefully at the end of this month it will be ready,” City manager Pep Guardiola said. “At first it was a little more than we expected.
“It's the bone. It needs time. With each injury you can do what you want, but it's a matter of time.”
On Friday, Guardiola also confirmed that defender John Stones [ankle] They will not face Newcastle.
“Erling is out and John is out,” the manager said.
Haaland, 23, who has returned to training, has also scored five goals in the Champions League this campaign.
Midfielder Kevin De Bruyne will get more minutes on Saturday, possibly starting for the defending champions, who are looking to move within two points of league leaders Liverpool.
The Belgium international returned from a hamstring injury on Sunday as a second-half substitute in City's 5-0 win over Huddersfield in the FA Cup. At that moment, De Bruyne assisted Jérémy Doku's goal.
Guardiola said that the midfielder looks “very good” [and] dynamic” and indicated that he is ready to start.
The team will head to Abu Dhabi after the game at St. James' Park to train in warm weather ahead of their next match, against Tottenham on January 26 in the fourth round of the FA Cup.
