Erling Haaland withdraws from Norway squad with groin problem

Striker faces race to be fit for clash with Liverpool

Erling Haaland has given the Blues an injury scare after being forced to withdraw from the Norway squad with a groin problem.

The striker had scored a hat-trick against Burnley at the weekend, his sixth of the season, but was withdrawn on 63 minutes.

He joined up with his national squad on Sunday, but has now returned to Manchester to receive treatment and faces a race to be fit for the clash with Liverpool a week on Saturday.

A statement from the Norwegian FA read: "Erling Braut Haaland had some pain in his groin after the match against Burnley. We hoped that this was just a familiarity that would carry over to Saturday. After doing tests and examinations yesterday it became clear that he will not make it to the games against Spain and Georgia."

"It is better that he receives medical follow-up at the club", says national team doctor Ola Sand. "Haaland thus travels home from the national team meeting. Erling took it hard when he realized that he could not fight for the team.

"Fortunately, there is still plenty of self-confidence, talent and cohesion in this group to win points in the next matches."