Manchester City have also been dealt a potential blow after manager Enzo Maresca confirmed Antoine Semenyo could miss up to eight weeks with a knee injury, while Erling Haaland is anticipated to be fit for Tuesday’s Champions League clash with AEK Athens. Semenyo got hurt on Saturday in City’s 3-2 triumph over Ipswich Town at home. Ghana international limped off after the game having come into the fray in the 77th minute at the Etihad Stadium.
The injury was not a muscular one, but rather a problem with the collateral ligament, said Maresca, meaning the forward will need to heal before he can return to action. The manager also hinted at the possibility of Semenyo coming back in December, which would mean that the opposition could give City a spine-tingling shot of fresh impetus during the hectic winter transfer window. Maresca told reporters Monday the most crucial aspect of the matter is recovery.
He admitted that the club had tried to cut down on the workload of the 26-year-old but that was not successful in avoiding the injury. Semenyo has registered two goals and three assists in the English top flight this season, and this could become a worry for City’s attacking side if he is unavailable. In the meantime, Haaland’s fitness looks more promising. The Norwegian forward was left with a bruised foot and ankle in stoppage time in the clash against Ipswich and concerns were raised about his fitness to take part in his next match at the Euros.
However Haaland is improving after the weekend incident, but his final availability will depend on the team’s training session, wrote Maresca. The forward has netted two times at Ipswich and has now made 12 appearances for City, scoring 12 goals in his last eight games.
