David Silva likely to miss start of Manchester City's Champions League campaign

The Spanish playmaker is receiving treatment on a thigh strain

Andy Hampson
Friday 13 September 2013 13:43 BST
Comments
David Silva of Manchester City beats Robert Koren and Jake Livermore of Hull
David Silva of Manchester City beats Robert Koren and Jake Livermore of Hull (GETTY IMAGES)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Manchester City playmaker David Silva is likely to miss the start of his side's Champions League campaign.

The Spaniard returned early from international duty this week for treatment on a thigh strain.

Manager Manuel Pellegrini has confirmed the 27-year-old will not feature in this weekend's Barclays Premier League game at Stoke and will probably not be available to face Viktoria Plzen in Europe on Tuesday.

That makes the derby against Manchester United at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday a possible return date.

Pellegrini, speaking at a press conference to preview the trip to Stoke, said: "We will see next week what happened with him. We hope he can be, not sure - we will try for the derby."

Captain Vincent Kompany, who has been sidelined since suffering a groin injury in the season-opening game, is nearing a return but he too will not play at Stoke.

Pellegrini said: "Kompany is okay but I think it is a big risk for him to play three matches in one week.

"He needs two or three more days to be 100 per cent."

Fellow defender Micah Richards is still out with a hamstring complaint and, in a further addition to the problems at the back, Pellegrini revealed left-back Gael Clichy also has a minor knock.

He said: "It is not very important, (but) he is missing this weekend."

City's start to the campaign has been plagued by defensive injuries with centre-back Matija Nastasic missing the first two games with a knee problem.

New signing Martin Demichelis has also been ruled out with a knee injury suffered in training. Pellegrini estimates he will be missing for six weeks.

PA

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in