Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini provided a grim update on David Silva's injury status ahead of their weekend clash with Manchester United.
In addition to missing the Manchester derby, Pellegrini said, Silva will miss three-to-four weeks after picking up a knee injury during City's League Cup loss to Newcastle on Wednesday.
While Silva's absence is a significant blow, Manchester City are one of the few squads in the Premier League that possess the depth to cope with the loss of an elite talent.
“David is a very important player but I always say the same thing. We have a squad and we have to replace him with another player,” Pellegrini told reporters Friday, courtesy of the team's website.
Samir Nasri, who recently returned from a groin injury, is one of many midfielders who could be called upon to play a bigger role during Silva's absence.
Silva has two goals and two assists through nine Premier League matches this season.