Erling Haaland called up by Norway despite muscle injury

Erling Haaland is currently out with a muscle injury, but he has still been named in Norway’s squad for their upcoming World Cup qualifiers.

Norway have announced their squad for next month’s World Cup qualifiers, and Erling Haaland has been included despite his injury. The striker suffered a muscle injury in training last Friday and was forced to miss Borussia Dortmund’s Bundesliga clash against Borussia Mönchengladbach a day later as a result.

Borussia Dortmund head coach Marco Rose said during his press conference on Monday that Haaland is still in a lot of pain. He did not train with the team on Monday and will also miss the Black and Yellows’ UEFA Champions League group stage game against Sporting CP on Tuesday evening.

But Norway head coach Ståle Solbakken is hopeful that Haaland will be fit in time for Norway’s two World Cup qualifiers that are scheduled to take place next month. “I spoke to Erling yesterday,” Solbakken said on Tuesday. “He is making progress. We are very hopeful that he will be ready.”

Haaland has scored in each of his last seven games for club and country, so Norway will be desperate to have him available for their upcoming World Cup qualifiers. The 21 year old has scored 12 goals in 15 appearances for the Norwegian national team.

Norway are due to take on Turkey on Friday, October 08. They will then face Montenegro on Monday, October 12. Norway currently find themselves in second place in their World Cup qualifying group, only behind the Netherlands on goal difference. Only the team that finishes top is guaranteed a place at the 2022 FIFA World Cup. While the team that finishes second will head to the play-offs.