Norway boss provides update on Man City striker Haaland’s fitness

Norway boss Stale Solbakken has played down injury concerns over Erling Haaland after the striker was taken off against Portugal, insisting he was simply exhausted.

Haaland appeared to be struggling before asking to be substituted in the second half, prompting concern over his fitness ahead of Manchester City’s return to action against Liverpool on Sunday.

But Solbakken said the issue was down to fatigue rather than a specific injury.

“He was simply thoroughly spent,” the Norway manager said.

“Some of my players have only had six or seven days of holiday. And you do not live off your physical condition in a normal job.

“Then it is straight into the start of the season, followed by a mini-tournament, so it is an extreme strain.”

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Solbakken added that Haaland is among those carrying the heaviest workload because of his importance to Manchester City and the number of competitions they play in.

“He’s in the group that carries the heaviest workload, precisely because his team plays in every tournament and he’s the main man,” he said.

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