Kovacic suffers injury setback that could keep him out for another TWO months

Manchester City have been hit by an injury blow after it emerged that the extent of Mateo Kovacic’s absence could reach four months.

Kovacic had surgery on his Achilles in the days after last season finished and missed the Club World Cup in the United States, instead focusing on his recovery.

City fear that the Croatian central midfielder – who joined the squad in Sicily for their final summer friendly against Palermo - could now be missing until October.

Kovacic, who played on through pain as City fought for a Champions League spot towards May, had been attracting interest from clubs in the Saudi Pro League.

Although stacked with midfielders – 10 players in the squad can operate centrally – Pep Guardiola has insisted that he only wants to rely on a trio to fill the deeper defensive role.

‘We have three,’ Guardiola said. ‘There is Kova, injured until September or October. Rodri is coming back after nine months and we have Nico Gonzalez. Others can play there but are more attacking, more in the box.’

Ilkay Gundogan, Tijjani Reijnders and captain Bernardo Silva were all preferred ahead of Gonzalez at the Club World Cup.

The £50million January signing from Porto only played 61 minutes throughout the four matches in America and has started just two of the club’s last 11 games in all competitions.

‘Gundo can play there (deeper) and Tijjani can play there but when everybody is fit their position is to play more up front,’ Guardiola added. ‘We have Phil (Foden), (Rayan) Cherki, I don't know (the rest) - I forget because we have a lot.

‘I saw the season schedule in my office and after September it is every three or four days for 11 months. At the end, we will need players.’