Manchester City defender Matija Nastasic has been ruled out for six weeks following an ankle injury sustained on a rain sodden Hong Kong Stadium pitch during a pre-season game a few days ago.
City manager Manuel Pellegrini may be forced into the transfer market to find cover for the absence of the talented young Serbian defender although the Chilean has run the rule over City’s squad during pre-season and may elect to trust in Dedryck Boyata and Micah Richards to help plug the gap alongside Joleon Lescott who may find his chances of regular football at the Etihad Stadium improved.
Nastasic, 20, made 18 Premier League appearances last season and was arguably one of City’s best signings during a summer when they missed out on most of their major transfer targets including Robin Van Persie, who went on to lift the Barclays Premier League title with Manchester United.
City also lost in the FA Cup final to Wigan Athletic this year and former manager Roberto Mancini was sacked during the summer.