Haaland has netted in six straight Premier League matches, guiding City to the summit with an unbeaten record after seven fixtures this season.

In the match versus Ipswich, he achieved his 100th Premier League goal excluding penalties, accomplishing this feat quicker than any predecessor.

Maresca indicated Haaland might be fit for the Athens clash and will undergo evaluation following Monday's practice, noting he looked quite well on Sunday.

It often proves challenging for substitutes to step in for Haaland, a situation previously experienced by Julian Alvarez and Omar Marmoush, yet many were taken aback when Divin Mubama departed on loan to Southampton in the Championship during the summer.

This departure left City lacking a direct stand-in for when Haaland is unavailable.

Maresca had earlier suggested Semenyo could operate as a number nine, but this option is now unavailable since the Ghanaian may miss as many as 13 games.

The Italian coach has floated midfielder Phil Foden as a possibility, with the player breaking his goal drought on Saturday via his initial Premier League strike since December.

"Phil could serve as one of the answers," remarked Maresca. "He has previously featured in that role and might do so again, though Erling currently occupies the striker position."

Might the summer acquisition Iliman Ndiaye present another alternative?

The Senegal forward frequently played as a centre-forward during Sheffield United's successful promotion season of 2022-23, netting 14 times to aid the Blades' return to the top flight.

In the previous campaign, boss Pep Guardiola noted that Rayan Cherki suits the false nine position ideally, as evidenced by the Frenchman's goal in a 2-0 Carabao Cup quarter-final victory against Brentford in that role.