Silva joins Pablo Zabaleta, Gael Clichy, and Fabian Delph on the sidelines
Bacary Sagna passed 100% fit to play right back after injury scare
Manchester City midfielder David Silva will not be risked for the trip to South London to face Crystal Palace after his manager Manuel Pellegrini revealed that the Spain midfielder received a kick to his ankle on international duty.
“It’s a risk for him to take another kick in the same sole. We’ll see during the weekend but I hope that he will be fit for Juventus.” confirmed the Chilean who has been awarded the Premier League Manager of the Month award for August after a 100% record in City’s first four games.
City’s squad strength will enable the Chilean to choose from fit-again Fernando to add extra protection to City’s midfield against the hard pressing Palace team or to use Kevin De Bruyne as a straight replacement for Silva, to make his Blues debut.
“I am sure with Kevin De Bruyne at the end of the season nobody will remember what price we paid for him.” said Pellegrini.
“I think he can play in three positions, both wings and behind the striker and it’s not a problem for him to change positions.
“We have balance and a lot of different combinations, we needed more speed for both wings in this squad. We will continue being a technical squad, moving the ball as soon as we can.” added Pellegrini.
Pellegrini confirmed that Bacary Sagna was 100% fit to take his place at right back after key injuries deprived him of two full backs for an extended period of time.
“We hope Sagna and Aleks Kolarov won’t be injured this year.
“Full backs is a concern. It’s not normal to have both full backs injured. Maybe Fabian Delph can replace Kolarov in left back because he has played there before.”
Delph was taken off with another hamstring injury after around ten seconds of England’s game against Switzerland but Pellegrini expects the England man to be missing for six weeks. He said:
“When players go to their national squad I trust in the way their managers work, they are also professionals. It’s not a problem with the warm-up or the way the squad works.
“The injury is in the same leg and muscle but not the same part.
“It’s not the best way to start but Fabian must be strong in his mind – these things can happen – but he’s a very good professional and I am sure he will be back soon.
“There is timescale on his return but we must see what the doctor says – he will be at least one month and a half.” said the Chilean.
Nicolas Otamendi may have to wait for his City debut after Sagna was passed fit.
“We have just started, in his position as a defender it may be more difficult for him to start but if we need him he will be ready to play.” said Pellegrini.