Pep Guardiola expects Ferran Torres to be missing for between 10 and 12 weeks with a metatarsal problem picked up on international duty.
The Manchester City forward picked up the foot injury in Spain's UEFA Nations League victory over Italy last week, but was then deemed fit enough to play in the final a few days later against France.
Subsequent scans indicated that Torres would be missing for around six weeks, but Guardiola believes it could be 2022 before the player is seen back on the pitch as he suggested in his press conference ahead of the Burnley match that it will be two-and-a-half months to three months before he returns.
Despite the blow coming on international duty, the City manager refused to criticise the decisions taken by the Spain coaching staff in picking Torres for another match after the initial injury.
"The injuries can happen here, at home, in the national team. I know because I know perfectly the Spain coach, I know he treats Ferran and all the players as well as possible.. He doesn't want him to get injured and they try to take care. Sometimes it happens - it happened with Belgium with Kevin [De Bruyne], with Phil [Foden] with England.
"It would be better not to happen but unfortunately it happens. That's all."
Gabriel Jesus and Ederson will also be unavailable for the Burnley game after playing for Brazil in the early hours of Friday morning but in better news for City the manager will be able to call on Ilkay Gundogan and Aleks Zinchenko.
