Manchester City defender Micah Richards is facing a two month spell on the sidelines after undergoing surgery on a knee injury suffered during Saturday's 1-0 win over Swansea.
Richards collapsed in an off-the-ball incident during the second half, instantly clutching his knee as his night came to a premature end. Oxygen was administered as the defender was helped off after a lengthy hold-up.
The 24-year-old underwent surgery at a Manchester hospital on Monday afternoon to mend torn knee cartilage that will rule him out of the must-win Champions League clash with Ajax and a league showdown with Tottenham before Christmas.
Indeed, his recovery period is between six and eight weeks which means that he will be targeting a return in the New Year.
Elsewhere, though, there was better news on the injury front as City winger David Silva returned to England after spending a week in Spain having physio on a hamstring injury and right-back Pablo Zabaleta is likely to be available for this Saturday's Premier League encounter against West Ham after recovering from his own hamstring strain.
