Manchester City have been hit by an injury blow after it emerged that the extent of Mateo Kovacic’s absence could reach four months.
Kovacic had surgery on his Achilles in the days after last season finished and missed the Club World Cup in the United States, instead focusing on his recovery.
City fear that the Croatian central midfielder – who joined the squad in Sicily for their final summer friendly against Palermo - could now be missing until October.
Kovacic, who played on through pain as City fought for a Champions League spot towards May, had been attracting interest from clubs in the Saudi Pro League.