Dortmund forward Erling Haaland is unlikely to return from injury before CHRISTMAS, admits father Alf-Inge as the striker battles a hip problem in a huge blow to their Bundesliga hopes
- Erling Haaland faces a spell on the sidelines after picking up a hip injury
- The Dortmund star has missed the last four games since their 4-0 loss to Ajax
- His father Alf-Inge says the striker is ‘doing well’ but could be out until Christmas
Borussia Dortmund striker Erling Haaland is set to be out until after Christmas as he battles an ongoing hip problem, his father has admitted.
Haaland – the club’s talisman with 13 goals in 10 games this season – has been missing for the last four matches since struggling with the injury in their 4-0 thrashing by Ajax, but fans have been warned to expect a longer absence.
The 21-year-old is seen as one of the rising stars of world football and one of the most talented forwards in Europe, and his absence will be a massive blow for Marco Rose’s title chasers, who are second in the Bundesliga table.
Erling Haaland faces being on the sidelines until after Christmas with a hip flexor injury
His father Alfe-Inge (L) confirmed the news but said his son was ‘doing relatively well’
‘He’s doing relatively well considering the situation, but he’ll be out for a little while,’ Alf-Inge told Norway station TV 2.
‘It would be a bonus if he gets some games before Christmas, but it’s rather unlikely.’
It means Dortmund – just a point behind table toppers Bayern Munich – will be without their forward when they welcome their rivals to Signal Iduna Park on December 4.
Dortmund have fared well since Haaland picked up his injury, winning three in a row against Arminia, Ingolstadt and Cologne with Thorgan Hazard, Marco Reus and Donyell Malen stepping up as forwards.
It comes as a huge blow to Dortmund, who are chasing Bayern Munich for the Bundesliga title
The Norwegian hotshot took to Twitter to tell supporters that he will be ‘back stronger’
But they were brought down to earth in the Champions League on Wednesday night as they were beaten by Ajax again – losing 3-1 at home to dent their hopes of reaching the knockout rounds.
Initially Haaland was only meant to be out ‘for a few weeks’ after boss Rose first confirmed the news that he had suffered a hip flexor issue having only just returned from a muscular injury that ruled him out for three games.
‘Erling will be out, we’ll be without him for a couple of weeks even. He has a hip flexor injury which simply doesn’t make it possible for him to play,’ Rose said. ‘It’s the same thigh, but another location.
‘Erling was really down yesterday because he was happy to be back again. That he’s out again is not good for us, it’s not great for the lad, but Erling will get all the support he needs from the club, from the team.’
Haaland will be forced to watch and cheer on his team-mates from the sidelines for now
His stunning performances in front of goal have led to huge interest from the likes of Man City
Haaland took to Twitter to send supporters a message vowing to be ‘back stronger’ following his latest injury concern.
‘Time to focus on my recovery. I’ll be back stronger!’ he posted to his 1.3million followers.
Haaland has been subject of fierce interest from top European clubs, with Manchester City recently the most heavily linked. PSG and Real Madrid are also thought to be interested, but one of the club’s directors is confident he will be staying put beyond the end of the season.
Sebastian Kehl, Dortmund’s head of first-team football, said: ‘Of course, we are trying to give him the feeling that Borussia Dortmund continues to be a top address for him and that he can still develop here.
‘Maybe we can still convince him. We will fight for him. We will try everything. The decision has not yet been made, but I would bet €100 [on him staying].’
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