Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini expects Fabian Delph to be out for six weeks after his latest injury setback. Former Chelsea player De Bruyne’s big-money move from Wolfsburg came after the last of them, against Watford nearly a fortnight ago, and has since been away with Belgium.
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City boss Pellegrini expects Silva to be back for the midweek Champions League clash with Juventus, but the midfielder will not be risked on Saturday, meaning De Bruyne may feature from the off.
Defender Bacary “Sagna is 100% fit” for the game at Selhurst Park, despite limping off during France’s friendly win over Serbia on Monday night. Alongside his rather large trophy cabinet Silva has also racked up an impressive 50 assists and 34 goals in 166 appearances for the blues.
City, who thrust record signing Kevin De Bruyne into a first-half debut from the bench following an injury to talisman Sergio Aguero, were set to be held for the first time this term in a match where emotions ran high on and off the field.
“We have so many players who can play centrally behind the striker”, said the City skipper. “It was very unlucky for him to have the injury but bad things happen”, Pellegrini is quoted as saying in his press conference by the Mail Online.
He’s in the squad list, we’ll see whether he starts. “I think [he will be out for] at least one month and a half”.
“We are focused. There does not seem to be too much joy about winning games”.
“But he is a very good professional”.
“I spoke with him during the week, we work a couple of days and he’s seen what the team is doing”.
“I think he can play in three positions – both wings and behind the striker”.
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The England worldwide is yet to concede a goal in the Premier League this season, and while his job has been made easier by the excellent form of his team-mates, he still has to be on top form.
