Ilkay Gundogan faces spell on the sideline with ACL injury

Ilkay Gundogan’s season could be over after Manchester City announced the midfielder suffered cruciate ligament damage in midweek.

The Germany international fell awkwardly in the first half of City’s victory over Watford at the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday and limped off in clear distress soon after following an unsuccessful attempt to play on.

City are not yet able to put a timescale on the length of lay-off facing the 26-year-old, who will undergo knee surgery, but it seems unlikely he could feature again in the 2016-17 campaign.

The club said in a statement: “Manchester City can confirm Ilkay Gundogan has sustained a cruciate knee ligament injury. Gundogan will now be assessed further to discover the exact extent of his injury.”

“It’s so so difficult for him, it’s sad for him,” manager Pep Guardiola told a news conference.

“We’re going to miss him a lot, it’s unlucky, but that’s football.

“Now we need him to feel we are there and wait and come back safe. He’s going to be operated (on) and be back as soon as possible.”

Gundogan joined City from Borussia Dortmund in June and was just settling into the side when he sustained the injury during Wednesday’s 2-0 win over Watford

Ilkay Gundogan’s season could be over after Manchester City announced the midfielder suffered cruciate ligament damage in midweek.

The Germany international fell awkwardly in the first half of City’s victory over Watford at the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday and limped off in clear distress soon after following an unsuccessful attempt to play on.

City are not yet able to put a timescale on the length of lay-off facing the 26-year-old, who will undergo knee surgery, but it seems unlikely he could feature again in the 2016-17 campaign.

The club said in a statement: “Manchester City can confirm Ilkay Gundogan has sustained a cruciate knee ligament injury. Gundogan will now be assessed further to discover the exact extent of his injury.”

“It’s so so difficult for him, it’s sad for him,” manager Pep Guardiola told a news conference.

“We’re going to miss him a lot, it’s unlucky, but that’s football.

“Now we need him to feel we are there and wait and come back safe. He’s going to be operated (on) and be back as soon as possible.”

Gundogan joined City from Borussia Dortmund in June and was just settling into the side when he sustained the injury during Wednesday’s 2-0 win over Watford