Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola admitted his team could be without the services of influential midfielder Ilkay Gundogan for some time, after the German limped off during the first half of City's 2-0 victory over Watford on Wednesday.
Goals from Pablo Zabaleta and David Silva helped earn Guardiola's side their first win of December as they producedthe perfect response to their critics, who have become more vociferous after the Sky Blues' suffered back-to-back league defeats.
FULL-TIME Man City 2-0 Watford. Zabaleta & Silva on the scoresheet as Man City win their 1st #PL home match since 17 Sept #MCIWAT pic.twitter.com/w9JVED4fh5
Sadly it wasn't all good news for Guardiola on Wednesday evening though, as Gundogan was forced off moments before half-time with what appeared to be knee ligament damage.
Speaking after the match, the City boss admitted he was worried by the injury and is fearful that the midfielder is facing a long lay-off.
Guardiola told theBBC: "I'm so sad for Ilkay Gundogan as it looks like we'll be without him for a long time - we will know more tomorrow, it doesn't look good.
"We'll know the extent of the injury when he has been properly assessed by the doctor but I think he may be out for some time."
BREAKING: Pep Guardiola says Manchester City midfielder Ilkay Gundogan has suffered suspected knee ligament damage. #SSNHQ
Gundogan's City career started slowly as he arrived in the summer with a long term knee injury and was unable to make his first appearance for the team until mid September.
Since then, the German has become a regular starter in Guardiola's plans and shone during their impressive 3-1 victory over Barcelona in November.
Whilst the extent of Gundogan's injury may have yet been established, he is almost certain to miss Sunday's crucial meeting with Arsenal, where City will already be without captain Vincent Kompany through injury, whilst both Sergio Aguero and Fernandinho are unavailable through suspension.