Erling Haaland injury blow for Man City ahead of Chelsea FA Cup semi-final

Erling Haaland has not recovered from his injury concern in time to face Chelsea in the FA Cup semi-final - and might not be back in time to face Brighton in the Premier League on Thursday.

Haaland was replaced at the end of 90 minutes on Wednesday as Manchester City and Real Madrid went to extra time and then penalties in their epic Champions League quarter-final. Pep Guardiola later revealed that Haaland asked to be replaced, and on Friday confirmed that the Norwegian had felt a muscular issue.

Guardiola wouldn't commit to Haaland being fit to face Chelsea just three days after the Madrid game, but the striker did not make it in time to lead the line in the FA Cup semi-final. Instead, City named Julian Alvarez in attack, after the Argentine replaced Haaland on Wednesday for extra time and he scored the Blues' opening penalty in the shoot-out.

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Speaking to BBC Sport, Guardiola admitted he didn't know if Haaland's issue was serious enough to keep him out of the Premier League trip to Brighton on Thursday night. "He's injured. I don't think it's much but he's not able for today," Guardiola said. "I don't know [if he will be back for the next game]."

There was good news with Kevin De Bruyne and Manu Akanji fit to start after also requesting to be replaced against Real. De Bruyne 'felt exhausted', while Akanji was passed fit on Friday - but Guardiola said before the game at Wembley that the Belgian 'felt good' enough to be included.

In total, Guardiola made four changes, including the expected switch of goalkeeper Ederson with cup stopper Stefan Ortega. John Stones replaced Ruben Dias in defence while Nathan Ake returned to take the place of Josko Gvardiol at left-back.

Guardiola had said of Haaland on Friday: "Erling felt something, a muscular issue and that's why he said he could not continue. The doctor said it was a little bit niggles and we will see the evolution in the next hours. The amount of games we are playing this season and the previous season and not much recovery and extra time and high intensity and the way we played, put a lot of pressure on our game. They are human beings, not machines. Sometimes the fatigue is there."