Steve Nicol assesses how Man City should proceed if Benjamin Mendy misses an extended period of time with a knee injury. Kevin De Bruyne and Fabian Delph talk after their nervy 2-0 win over Shakhtar Donetsk. Kevin De Bruyne produced something special with this strike to give Manchester City the lead against Shakhtar Donetsk. Manchester City held off Shakhtar Donetsk 2-0 to win their second straight game to open Group F. Manchester City defender Benjamin Mendy could miss most of the rest of the season after City confirmed that he had ruptured knee ligaments.
Mendy suffered the injury in the first half of the 5-0 home win over Crystal Palace on Saturday.
City's medical team had initially hoped he had only sustained an impact injury, but ESPN FC reported on Tuesday that he would be sent to see specialist Dr Ramon Cugat in Barcelona.
Tests have now confirmed he has ruptured anterior cruciate ligaments in his right knee.
The France international will undergo surgery on Friday and, although City have not said how long he will be out, players can take up to nine months to recover from such an injury.
But Mendy offered hope that he could be back much sooner when he wrote on Twitter: "Bad news guys. I will be joining Injury FC on loan for a couple months with ruptured ACL, but will be back soon and stronger hopefully."
Coach Pep Guardiola had said after Tuesday's Champions League win over Shakhtar Donetsk that he feared Mendy's injury was more serious than thought.
The setback leaves City without an out-and-out left-back, and Guardiola has indicated that he could bring in a new signing in the January transfer window.
"We thought next summer about looking for another left-back -- another replacement -- but we will see what we do," he said.
"We have alternatives in our squad -- Danilo, Fabian Delph, Fernandinho, can play there -- so we will see as we go along."
Jonathan is ESPN FC's Manchester City correspondent. Follow him on Twitter: @jonnysmiffy.
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Source: espn.co.uk