Manchester City forward Antoine Semenyo has been sidelined for up to eight weeks after suffering a knee injury at the weekend, manager Enzo Maresca said on Monday. Striker Erling Haaland, meanwhile, could be fit for Tuesday’s Champions League clash at home to AEK Athens.
Semenyo limped off after Saturday’s 3-2 home win over Ipswich Town, shortly after Haaland took a knock to his foot and ankle in stoppage time. Maresca said the Ghana international’s injury was not as serious as first feared, but he would need time to recover. Semenyo, 26, has two goals and three assists in the Premier League this season.
Maresca outlines Semenyo’s recovery timeline
Speaking at a press conference ahead of the AEK game, Maresca said the winger could be out for eight weeks. He stressed that recovery was the priority and said Semenyo would be “like a new player” when he returns in December.
Semenyo came off the bench in the 77th minute against Ipswich at the Etihad Stadium. Maresca said the club had tried to keep him fresh by giving him limited minutes, but that unforeseen events sometimes occur.
Haaland doubts and options for Tuesday
Maresca said there were also doubts over Haaland’s fitness, but he remained hopeful. “He can be available, we will see,” the manager said, adding that the striker had looked better in training.
Haaland’s double against Ipswich helped City win their seventh straight top-flight game. He has scored in his last eight appearances for City, netting 12 times in that run. Maresca said Phil Foden could be one option for the number nine role, but not the only one, and that for now Haaland is the first choice.
City look to bounce back after PSG defeat
City are eyeing the AEK match as a chance to respond to last week’s 4-2 home loss to European champions Paris St Germain. That result left City 17th in the table with three points from two matches.
Maresca said the team’s response after the PSG game had been good. He added that the Champions League is a different competition, but the ambition to win remains the same.
