Pablo Zabaleta: (Knee) Out 4-6 Weeks

Zabaleta, Manchester City’s first-choice right-back, did not start the season following his involvement in the Copa America with Argentina.

It’s the first real injury Zabaleta has suffered in his career – though he has had numerous head and facial wounds over the past seven years – and it leaves Bacary Sagna as the Blues’ only recognised first-team right-back.

Manchester City’s other two injured players Gael Clichy and Fabian Delph have meanwhile returned to training this week after having missed the early part of the season.

Manager Manuel Pellegrini did say, however, that he would not be throwing in Zabaleta’s countryman, central defender Nicolas Otamendi, who was signed this week from Valencia.

That move from City came despite a positive start to the new campaign in which they have beaten both West Brom and, most notably, champions Chelsea 3-0. “If that is a new record, that for me that is not important”.

Addressing the media at his weekly press conference, the boss said, “We needed a centre back, we analysed different options and we decided that Nicolas Otamendi was the best option, so here he is”. When things are finished then I will talk about them’.

“No one in the squad is thinking about what will happen in May”, Pellegrini told reporters.