FOUR MONTHS

Haaland felt aggrieved when City informed him that they were putting him on notice because of his failure to complete a full match since being the victim of a controversial challenge by Manchester United captain Roy Keane in a derby match nearly two years ago.

The Norwegian midfielder, who was also disappointed by a lack of support from his club in the pursuit of any legal redress against Keane - who admitted intent to inflict injury in his own autobiography - sought the help of the Professional Footballers' Association in an attempt to salvage his career.

City's response has been to put the player under four months of intensive physiotherapy with manager Kevin Keegan commenting: "If Alfie can prove his fitness then there will be no problem with this club.

"We aren't saying we don't want him, we want him to come back. We are all behind him and will give him our full support. But he has to prove his fitness and so far that hasn't happened."