Why isn’t Erling Haaland playing for Manchester City against Brighton?

City boss Pep Guardiola has confirmed that Haaland’s injury will prevent him taking part in the trip to the Amex Stadium on Thursday.

Manchester City will be without top scorer Erling Haaland when they travel to Brighton and Hove Albion on Thursday. The Norwegian striker was injured for the FA Cup win over Chelsea last weekend and is yet to complete his recovery.

Haaland is suffering with a minor muscle injury, one that City boss Pep Guardiola insists is not serious: “I know it is not a big issue, but he is not allowed for this game.”

Questions have been raised about Haaland’s performance level in recent weeks as the striker failed to have an impact across both legs of Manchester City’s Champions League exit to Real Madrid. However, the 23-year-old has still managed 31 goals across all competitions and is currently the joint top scorer in the Premier League.

After the Brighton game, City take on Nottingham Forest, Fulham, Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham United in the next few weeks. Now relieved of their European commitments City have a lighter schedule than they may have expected, giving their players greater opportunity to rest.

Haaland could well be back in the team for this weekend’s trip to Nottingham Forest, who could pose a tricky fixture for Guardiola’s side. Forest are currently in 17th, just one point ahead of Luton Town in the final relegation place. The atmosphere at the City Ground will be raucous as Forest look to secure a third successive season in the top flight.

The loss to Real Madrid surprised those who pegged City as the favourites to lift the Champions League once again. However, speaking to reporters on Wednesday, Guardiola made clear that he is content with his team’s performances this season.

“At the