Silva, Rodri, Zinchenko, Sane - Latest City injury news & expected return dates

It's been another disappointing week for Man City on the injury front as yet another key player has been sidelined, this time in the form of captain David Silva.

The Spaniard is the twelfth City player to pick up an injury this season and it comes following a week in which the Blues managed to stay unscathed.

Although Angelino had to be substituted in the Carabao Cup clash with Southampton, Pep Guardiola later revealed it was only cramp and he managed to play the full 90 minutes in the Premier League meeting with the Saints.

It meant City went into the fixture with only four players out injured but with the addition of Silva they will go into an important week in which they face Atalanta and Liverpool with five players on the sidelines.

Here is when the five will hopefully be back in action:

David Silva

Silva had to be substituted at half-time in the 2-1 victory over Southampton after complaining about a muscle issue.

He is now expected to be out for at least a week and will miss the Champions League trip to Atalanta and the vital clash with Liverpool.

It will more than likely be up to Bernardo Silva or Phil Foden to step in as City's midfield options continue to dwindle.

What Pep Guardiola said: “I didn't speak with the doctor but when he has a muscular problem and cannot play more minutes it is because he has something and when it is a muscular problem it is always a minimum of 10-12 days.”

Expected return date: November 23

Rodri

Silva's fellow countryman Rodri has been out of action since the home match against Atalanta after he pulled up with a hamstring problem 40 minutes in.

City's record signing appeared to pull it while chasing a loose ball while filling in at centre-back.

He is also not expected to be back until after the international break, further reducing Guardiola's midfield options.

What Pep Guardiola said: "After the international break maybe he will be ready."

Expected return date: November 23.

Aleks Zinchenko

There was initial confusion over Zinchenko's injury as he was ruled out of the fixture with Crystal Palace due to illness.

But when he wasn't back in contention to face Atalanta suspicions were raised and it was confirmed that he had suffered a knee injury.

It's presumed the injury occurred in training as he hasn't played for City since returning from international duty with Ukraine.

The utility man will miss four to six weeks of action and, as well as missing Liverpool, he will likely not be fit for the big games against Chelsea or Manchester United, either.

What Pep Guardiola said: "He had a contact with a knee, something in the bone. Four weeks, five weeks, more or less.

"It was something to clean a little bit. Not a big issue. Five weeks, six weeks.."

What Aleks Zinchenko said: The Ukrainian posted a photo from his hospital bed on Instagram with the caption: "On the way back."

Expected return date: December.

Leroy Sane

Sane was the first player to pick up an injury this season.

The German winger lasted just 10 minutes of the Community Shield before damaging his knee.

Thankfully, it wasn't a full ACL tear as was first feared and he only suffered partial damage.

It's still an injury that requires a lot of rehabilitation, however, but he is expected to be back for a big chunk of the season and is stepping up his fitness training, according to his Instagram.

What Pep Guardiola said: "He's coming back before the end of the season. In January, December, February could be perfect. He should be perfect."

Expected return date: January 2020

Aymeric Laporte

City's best central defender was the next to pick up a serious injury and the Blues have felt the loss ever since.

Laporte damaged his leg while challenging for the ball against Brighton but, like Sane, he too managed to avoid a torn ACL.

He instead damaged cartilage and his lateral meniscus but it will still keep him off the field for a while.

He has, however, posted videos of him training on exercise bikes on his Instagram so he is heading in the right direction.

What Aymeric Laporte said: "After successful completion of yesterday evening's surgery, I would like to say thanks for all your messages of support during the last few days. I feel truly loved and so thankful about it.

"I am sad for not being able to join the national team and to not fulfil my dream of making the debut with Les Bleus. I would like to thank the coach for being so supportive. From now on we start counting down the days to go back to the pitch."

Expected return date: February 2020.