LONDON • Manchester City have been dealt a severe blow after Sergio Aguero admitted that he could be ruled out for at least eight weeks with a hamstring injury suffered while on international duty with Argentina.
The forward is likely to miss City's next seven matches, including the derby against Manchester United at Old Trafford on Oct 25.
There were more injury worries for City on Friday, with David Silva substituted with an injury only nine minutes into Spain's 4-0 Euro 2016 qualifying win against Luxembourg.
The City playmaker took a nasty kick to the ankle and was replaced by Juan Mata.
Aguero, 27, was taken off on a stretcher only 20 minutes into Argentina's 2-0 World Cup qualifying defeat by Ecuador in Buenos Aires on Thursday, after he pulled up holding his left hamstring.
The striker was reported to be in tears in the dressing room as the realisation of another troubling muscle injury dawned on him.
He was released to fly home to Manchester, where he will undergo a scan amid concerns that he has suffered a grade-two tear.
La Nacion, the Argentina daily, reported that Aguero would also miss the World Cup qualifying match against Brazil in Buenos Aires on Nov 13.
He told the newspaper: "I think I'll be a month without playing... I'd been playing very frequently and was in doubt (for Thursday's match) until the last minute, but as a player you always want to be there and never know what can happen."
Aguero was troubled by a tight hamstring during City's 6-1 win over Newcastle a week ago, when he scored five goals, after taking a kick during the Champions League game against Borussia Moenchengladbach four days earlier.
However, the latest injury is thought to be a separate issue.
Manuel Pellegrini, the City manager, has only two other fit and recognised forwards in Wilfried Bony, who has struggled for form, and Kelechi Iheanacho, who has made only four appearances for the club.
The Chilean also has concerns over Vincent Kompany, with Belgium threatening to play the City captain against Israel on Tuesday despite a calf injury.
THE TIMES, LONDON
