City boss Guardiola rules out Gundogan for ‘a long time’

Joe Williams

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola expects to be without Ilkay Gundogan for “a long time” after the midfielder suffered suspected knee ligament damage in Wednesday’s 2-0 win over Watford.

The 26-year-old German left the pitch visibly upset late in the first half after appearing to twist his knee in a tackle and will undergo tests on Thursday, but Guardiola admitted after the match that it did not look good.

“I’m so sad for Ilkay Gundogan as it looks like we’ll be without him for a long time,” the Catalan said. “We will know more (on Thursday). It doesn’t look good.

“We’ll know the extent of the injury when he has been properly assessed by the doctor, but I think he may be out for some time.”