OLEKSANDR ZINCHENKO has undergone knee surgery at the worst possible time for Manchester City – deepening their injury crisis.
A knee injury kept the Ukraine defender out of the midweek win over Atalanta and he is set to miss a number of weeks after the procedure.
Pep Guardiola is set to speak to the press on Friday to give an impression of when Zinchenko will return.
During Benjamin Mendy‘s injury woe last season, the 22-year-old became a key player at left-back.
He appeared in11 of the final 12 games in their Premier League winning campaign, as well as the FA Cup and Carabao Cup finals.
Fortunately for coach Guardiola, Mendy is now back in the team but has only been handed two Prem outings.
Zinehenko posted an Instagram image from his hospital bed in Barcelona on Friday morning, writing: “On the way back.”
Treating the defender was surgeon to the stars Dr Ramon Cugat, who has operated on the likes of Xavi, Kevin De Bruyne, and more recently Aymeric Laporte.
French defender Laporte isn’t expected back until after the new year.
John Stones and Nicolas Otamendi should both be fit for City’s weekend match with Aston Villa after overcoming injuries.
But Rodri is still being assessed having hurt his hamstring while filling in at centre-back alongside fellow makeshift defender Fernandinho.
