Semenyo sidelined for eight weeks as City prepares for Athens

Manchester City has confirmed that forward Antoine Semenyo will be unavailable for approximately eight weeks following a weekend injury, dealing a significant blow to the club's attacking options. The exact nature of the injury was not disclosed, but the lengthy lay-off underscores the severity of the problem.

Manager Enzo Maresca provided a more encouraging update regarding Haaland ahead of the Champions League encounter with Greek outfit AEK Athens scheduled for Tuesday. While the Norwegian striker has been managing fitness concerns, Maresca indicated that Haaland could feature in the home fixture, pending further assessment.

The injury to Semenyo forces City to reassess its forward line during a demanding period in the fixture calendar. The club will likely look to alternative striking options to fill the void left by Semenyo's absence over the coming weeks.

Maresca's handling of Haaland's fitness will be crucial to City's European campaign, with the striker's involvement in Tuesday's match potentially hinged on late-stage evaluations. The Champions League clash represents an important opportunity for the Manchester side to maintain its domestic and continental momentum.