“He is a human not a machine” – Marco Rose insists injured Erling Haaland needs time to recover

Marco Rose has reiterated that Erling Haaland will not be fit to play for Norway in their upcoming World Cup qualifiers, adding that the striker needs time to recover from his injury. 

Erling Haaland has missed Borussia Dortmund’s last three games with a thigh injury. Marco Rose said on Friday that the striker will not be fit to play for Norway during the upcoming international break either. Despite that, Norway haven’t given up hope of having Haaland fit for their World Cup qualifiers. And it is possible that he may have to travel to the Norway camp and get his injury examined by their doctors before he can be ruled out.

Marco Rose was asked about Haaland’s injury status once again after Borussia Dortmund’s 2-1 win over FC Augsburg on Saturday. And the BVB head coach said that it is important that the 21 year old is allowed to work on his recovery in Dortmund.

"“Erling has been trying to play for days,” Rose said. “Anyone who knows Erling knows that he always wants to play. But it didn’t work today. It doesn’t look good for Norway either. And it would be good if we just take the pressure off and stop constantly asking whether it might be possible (for him to play for Norway).”“He’s a human being, not a machine. We have to get the boy healthy, not only for Borussia Dortmund, but also for the Norwegian national team.”"

Haaland has scored in each of his last seven games for club and country, and has 16 goals to his name in 11 appearances this season. So it is easy to see why Norway would want him available for their crucial World Cup qualifiers against Turkey and Montenegro. Norway are currently second in their World Cup qualifying group, only behind the Netherlands on goal difference.

Borussia Dortmund received three further injury blows on Saturday. Thomas Meunier, Mats Hummels and Marius Wolf were all forced off in the game against Augsburg. While Emre Can made his return after a long injury lay-off.