Pellegrini 'optimistic' De Bruyne won't miss rest of season with knee injury

Manchester City attacking midfielder Kevin De Bruyne required a stretcher to leave the pitch after suffering a knee injury in the final moments of Wednesday's Capital One Cup semifinal tie against Everton.

Club medics wrapped the 24-year-old's leg in an air cast and also made oxygen available.

Manager Manuel Pellegrini didn't have a concrete update on De Bruyne's condition after the match - a 3-1 win (4-3 aggregate) over Everton - but said the injury could involve his medial ligament.

"We’ll see how it is but it’s impossible to know before tomorrow," said Pellegrini. "I’m optimistic he won’t be out for the rest of the season. We’ll see how important the damage is. It’s not the cruciate ligament, it’s the medial we think."

De Bruyne fell awkwardly on his right leg after a collision with Everton defender Ramiro Funes Mori in the 90th minute. His abrupt departure briefly left City with 10 men.

The injury, however, could have massive ramifications on the Citizens' Premier League title run if it turns out to be serious.

Believing De Bruyne had been wasting time, Everton goalkeeper Joel Robles attempted to get the Dutchman off the pitch in a hurry. He later apologised on Twitter:

De Bruyne scored City's second goal and assisted on Sergio Aguero's decisive third to help his side to a fourth major final in six seasons.