Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola hopes Ilkay Gundogan’s injury is not as bad as first feared after the midfielder hurt his knee in the 2-1 League Cup victory over West Bromwich Albion.
The Germany international was making his first start for City since recovering from a cruciate knee ligament injurmy that ruled him out for nine months.
“I think not serious, it’s not eight months, but a little injury. Unfortunately the action was tough. He will be back soon hopefully,” Guardiola told a news conference.
“Tomorrow he will take a test to see exactly what it is. The physio and doctor told me it’s not big issue.
“I suffered for Gundogan, when he was on the grass, in that moment. You cannot imagine what it’s like for eight months, every day alone or just with the physio not in the locker room.
“In that moment it was so tough but of course that’s football. He was okay, he had a little bit of pain in his knee but tomorrow we are going to see and clarify what it is.”
Yaya Toure also came in for his first start of the season in what his 300th appearance for the club. The Ivorian had been left out of City’s last two squads for “sporting” reasons but Guardiola said they need him back.
“We need him. It’s not easy for the players who don’t play,” Guardiola said. “He showed huge personality. It’s not easy for him to play in this kind of game but he did it well and that’s why we are happy that he’s back. We are going to use and we need him.”
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