Manchester City was struck by an injury hit after it turned out that the size of the absence of Mateo Kovacic could reach for four months.
Kovacic was operated on his Achilles in the days after last season ended last season and missed the Club World Cup in the United States, instead aimed at his recovery.
The city fears that the Croatian central midfielder – who joined the team in Sicily before their last summer -friendly against Palermo – could now miss until October.
Kovacic, who played through pain while City moisture for a place in the Champions League in the direction of May, had attracted interest from clubs in the Saudi Pro League.
Although stacked with midfielders – 10 players in the team can work centrally – Pep Guardiola has insisted that he only wants to trust a trio to play the deeper defensive role.
“We have three,” said Guardiola. 'There is KOVA, injured until September or October. Rodri comes back after nine months and we have Nico Gonzalez. Others can play there, but are more offensive, more in the box. '
Ilkay Gundogan, Tijjani Reijnders and Captain Bernardo Silva were all preferred for Gonzalez at the Club World Cup.
The signing of £ 50 million from Porto only played 61 minutes in the four games in America and only started two of the last 11 games of the club in all competitions.
“Gundo can play there (deeper) and Tijjani can play there, but when everyone is fit, their position is to play more in the front,” Guardiola added. 'We have Phil (Foden), (Rayan) Cherki, I don't know (the rest) – I forget because we have a lot.
'I saw the seasonal schedule in my office and after September it is every three or four days for 11 months. In the end we need players. '