Manchester City have announced Aymeric Laporte has successfully undergone knee surgery.
The French centre-back injured himself in Saturday’s 4-0 win over Brighton after a challenge with Adam Webster.
The 25-year-old was set to join up with the France squad for the first time this week, but after being stretchered off after 33 minutes at the weekend, he now faces a lengthy spell out.
A statement read: “Aymeric Laporte has undergone surgery on his knee after damaging his cartilage and lateral meniscus during Saturday’s win over Brighton.
“The surgery, carried out by Dr Ramon Cugat in Barcelona, was successful and a more detailed prognosis will be provided in due course.
“Everyone at City wishes Aymeric a full and speedy recovery.”
Pep Guardiola will now have to contend in the title race against Liverpool with just Nicolas Otamendi as a fit and natural centre-back.
John Stones is also injured and the Spaniard could turn to Fernandinho moving forward, with the Brazilian playing out of position once Laporte came off on Saturday.
“He is a holding midfielder, everyone knows it, me included but I think he has the conditions to play there,” said Guardiola.
“The problems we have there as a situation, he is going to adapt. He is intelligent, fast, strong in the headers, in the build-up, he has the quality to see what happens in front. He can play in both positions.”
