Haaland’s name sits in the “we’ll see” column 24 hours before kick-off.

“He can be available. We’ll see. We have a session now and we have some doubts after the game,” Maresca told reporters on Monday, the eve of City’s Matchday 3 fixture at the Etihad.

The Norwegian limped out of Saturday’s 3-2 Premier League win over Ipswich Town in the closing stages, after taking a blow to his left foot when he caught Ipswich defender Jack Clarke’s studs on one of his own shots.

Maresca said recovery had moved in the right direction.

Read also: Trump, millions of dollars and 42 questions: Gianni Infantino faces a reckoning at FIFA

“He was quite good yesterday. Better. So we’ll see today,” the City manager said.

The contingency if Haaland sits out

City’s plan without their main goalscorer is still being written.

“Replacing Erling is always difficult. We have some different options and we’ll see tomorrow,” Maresca said. “It depends a little bit on the gameplan and also there is a chance he can be available tomorrow.”

Asked directly whether he was considering a different number nine, the manager pushed back: “At the moment it’s Erling. Why do we need to think about a different nine when Erling is there?”

Read also: The three-step punishment insiders now expect for Manchester City

Semenyo blow headlines wider absence list

Haaland is not the only concern. Antoine Semenyo faces a lengthy absence, confirmed by Maresca as the one player facing extended time out.

Three others came off against Ipswich with knocks of their own and were grouped by the manager among players who are “more or less okay”:

• Mateo Kovacic: taken off just after half-time with a knock.
• Nico O’Reilly: withdrawn on the hour mark with a back issue.
• Matheus Nunes: forced off in the second half with a muscle problem.

All three are expected to be available for selection.

Kick-off against AEK Athens at the Etihad is at 8pm local time on Tuesday.

Read also: Messi’s Inter Miami climbing the MLS table: Can they catch Nashville before the playoffs?

Read also: Four picks, one night: Giannis begins life as a Miami Heat player