Man City's worst fears confirmed! Erling Haaland return timeframe revealed as Pep Guardiola vents frustration over devastating injury blow

City confirmed that Haaland had injured his left ankle after he was forced off in the second half of the 2-1 win at the Vitality Stadium. And Guardiola was able to give a detailed picture of when his top scorer could return to action.

"The doctors told me between five and seven weeks, so hopefully at the end of the season and [Club] World Cup he will be ready," Guardiola told a press conference.

Haaland is City's leading scorer by far for the third season in a row, with 30 goals in all competitions. Phil Foden is City's second top scorer, with only 10 goals. Guardiola went on to admit that City will have to alter their style of play during Haaland's absence. The manager said: "Erling, his numbers again have been exceptional, and he's our incredible threat for many things - long balls, sense of goal - but we have to adjust with other players. We don't have another player with Haaland's skills or his specific qualities - we know that. But we have to adapt, and since many years we've played different ways up front, and it depends on the quality of the players. We are going to try to find a solution..."

Guardiola also said he backed City supporters planning to protest against the club's partnership with ticket resale company Viagogo. Several groups have called on fans to boycott the first nine minutes of Wednesday's game against Leicester City as the deal with Viagogo is the ninth partnership the club have agreed with a ticket company, amid concerns about local fans being priced out. The coach said: "Of course I have sympathy. When fans can express in good and bad moments their feelings, it's because the team and club is alive. The worst is when you cannot express, this is a club that people can and they were/are/will be in touch the fans with the club. All I can say is we need them, since minute one."

Omar Marmoush will replace Haaland in the line-up when City take on Leicester and for the remaining games of the season until the Norwegian returns. City then take on local rivals Manchester United on Sunday as they look to lock down finishing in the Premier League's top five to ensure they qualify for the Champions League next season.