Haaland ruled out of Man City's Champions League trip to AEK Athens with injury

Erling Haaland will not start for Manchester City in their Champions League encounter against AEK Athens on Tuesday, ruled out by the knock he sustained during Saturday’s 2-0 Premier League win over Ipswich. The 17-year-old Floyd Samba has been named to lead the line in his absence.

Haaland was hurt in a late challenge with Ipswich substitute Jack Clarke during injury time at the weekend, despite scoring twice in the match. City manager — identified in the source as Maresca — had indicated ahead of the trip to Greece that the Norwegian would undergo a fitness test before a decision was made.

“He can be available, we will see, we have a session now,” Maresca said on Monday. “We have some doubts after Sunday’s game. He was quite good yesterday, better. So we will see today.”

Haaland was ultimately not passed fit to start, with Samba — son of former Blackburn Rovers defender Christopher Samba — handed the opportunity to impress in his place.

City arrive in Athens looking to bounce back in Europe after a 4-2 defeat to holders Paris Saint-Germain last week, a result that added urgency to their need for a positive result in Greece.

The absence of Haaland compounds City’s attacking concerns, with Antoine Semenyo also confirmed to be sidelined. The Ghanaian winger is facing up to eight weeks out with a leg injury.