City await Semenyo assessment as Haaland’s fitness comes under scrutiny

Antoine Semenyo is the Manchester City forward Enzo Maresca says needs further assessment after City’s 3-2 win over Ipswich Town. No absence has been confirmed for Semenyo or Erling Haaland, but Haaland was seen limping heavily and is likely to be rested for Tuesday’s game, journalist Sam Lee reported. City’s next Saturday meeting with Aston Villa is the bigger question for the striker’s availability.

Semenyo came off in the 77th minute with a suspected knee problem. Maresca said after the match: “The only one we need to wait a little bit is Antoine and we’ll see.” He gave no recovery timetable, leaving City without a clear verdict on whether the forward will be available for either fixture.

Haaland’s exit looked more alarming than his own assessment. He caught the studs of Jack Clarke’s boot while attempting a shot, then left with a heavy limp. Asked about the striker, Maresca said: “I asked him and he said he is okay so hopefully it’s nothing serious.” That is reassurance, not a diagnosis, and does not settle whether Haaland will be ready for Villa.

The timing matters because Haaland scored twice against Ipswich, taking his league total to four this season. He restored City’s lead before half-time and scored again in the 69th minute, helping preserve a perfect start of seven Premier League wins from seven. Sam Lee’s report that Haaland was already likely to rest on Tuesday means the immediate test is whether the foot issue affects plans beyond that match.

City also had concerns over Matheus Nunes, Mateo Kovacic and Nico O’Reilly, all substituted in the second half. Maresca said Nunes and Kovacic told him they were OK. O’Reilly’s back problem had returned after he experienced the issue during the warm-up against Coventry.

Phil Foden had opened the scoring before Daizen Maeda equalised for Ipswich. Haaland’s brace put City ahead, and Zian Flemming’s penalty made it 3-2. City held on, but the result came with several players needing checks. Semenyo is the clearest unresolved case; for Haaland, City have a positive response from the player but no confirmed timetable.