David Silva limped off during the League Cup defeat to Newcastle United.
Manchester City face a local derby against fierce rivals Manchester United without arguably their most important creative player, with the Mirror reporting that attacking midfielder David Silva has been ruled out of the game after limping off during the first half of City’s 2-0 League Cup defeat to Newcastle United yesterday evening.
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The report suggests that Silva has sustained ligament damage, which is also serious enough to definitely rule him out next week’s vital Champions League tie against CSKA Moscow at the Etihad Stadium and potentially longer, news which will come as a nightmare for City, with Silva one of few players who have maintained their title winning form this time around.
The Spaniard scored a wonderful goal in defeat at West Ham last week and, with Samir Nasri only edging back towards full fitness, the former Valencia man was looking like he had a serious creative burden placed on his shoulders by Pellegrini’s underperforming side.
United will feel that there is now even more evidence to suggest that they can cause a minor shock against City after a late equaliser earned them a 1-1 draw against Chelsea last weekend, with Silva’s absence giving Louis van Gaal one less headache when the Dutchman puts together his plan for keeping City at bay.