Haaland is a doubt and Semenyo out for eight weeks at Man City

Manchester City head into Tuesday’s Champions League clash against AEK Athens with major doubts over Erling Haaland and a confirmed absence for Antoine Semenyo: Haaland is a doubt with a foot injury, while Semenyo is set to miss eight weeks after suffering a left-knee problem.

Haaland scored twice in Saturday’s 3-2 win at Ipswich Town to reach eight Premier League goals this season, again leading the scoring charts, but he suffered the setback with his foot during the game and will be assessed after Monday’s training session. Maresca said Haaland “can be available” for Athens and that he looked “quite good” on Sunday.

“I know it’s always difficult to replace Erling, but we have some different options,” Maresca said. “It also depends on the gameplan. At the moment it is Erling.” He added that if something happens and a different “nine” is needed, they will adapt.

With Semenyo ruled out, Maresca can’t use the option he had previously outlined of deploying him as a “nine”. The Italian floated midfielder Phil Foden as one possibility after Foden ended his goal drought on Saturday, scoring his first Premier League strike since December. Jeremy Doku is expected to continue on the left flank.