Football
Jonathan Smith, Manchester City correspondent 6y

Manchester City's Benjamin Mendy faces seven months out - Guardiola

MANCHESTER -- Benjamin Mendy will be out for around seven months after rupturing the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee, Manchester City coach Pep Guardiola has said.

Mendy, City's only recognised left-back, was injured in the first half of Saturday's Premier League home win over Crystal Palace.

He will undergo surgery in Barcelona on Friday, with Guardiola saying he had not yet decided whether to bring in a new player in the January transfer window.

"Mendy will be out until the semifinals of the Champions League [played in late April and early May]," the City boss told a news conference ahead of Saturday's game against Chelsea.

"I don't know right now [if City will sign someone]. Right now I'm not worried about that. We have 10 days, there's an international break after Cheslea game.

"Of course the club is working in those terms, but we'll see. So now I don't think it's time to think about that."

Midfielder Fabian Delph deputised at left-back in the Champions League win over Shakhtar Donetsk, while full-back Danilo is another option.

Sergio Aguero also misses the game at Stamford Bridge after he was hurt in a car crash on Thursday night.

Guardiola also revealed that captain Vincent Kompany is out despite being called up by Belgium for their World Cup qualifiers.

"No way," Guardiola said about his chances of playing against Chelsea. "He didn't make one training session with us since a month ago.

"I spoke with Roberto Martinez, he told me he's travelling there for a meeting with the Belgium doctors but he's coming back. Of course, he cannot play with Belgium."

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