Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola expects Nathan Ake to miss a number of matches after coming with injured against Arsenal.
The defender was forced off after only 27 minutes of Sunday’s title clash at the Etihad Stadium, to be replaced by Rico Lewis.
While Ake was able to limp away from the pitch unaided, Guardiola confirmed post-match that the initial prognosis on his injury was not good.
City had already lost Kyle Walker and Ederson to injury before the Arsenal game, while John Stones was also struck down with a thigh issue over the international break.
Stones was named on the bench but Guardiola described him as “not completely fit” shortly before kick-off.
After the final whistle of the 0-0 draw, the City boss insisted he will have to find a way to cope without Ake.
“It is what it is,” he told Sky Sports.
“[He] played two games this week [including] with the national team in Holland.
“John will be better soon, I think. Kyle will be longer, now Nathan will be longer.
“Rico played exceptionally well and we have other guys. We will do it with the guys that we have.”
City are next in action on Wednesday, at home to fourth-place Aston Villa, before a trip to Crystal Palace. They then face a Champions League quarter-final tie against Real Madrid either side of Luton’s visit in the Premier League.
