Pep Guardiola says Leroy Sane has “no chance” of making his comeback against Manchester United in the derby on Sunday.
And the Manchester City boss suggested he may play more under-23 games before he is ready to make a return for the first team.
Sane has been out of action since he damaged knee ligaments in the Community Shield win over Liverpool in August.
But he returned to training nearly a month ago and had a run-out for the elite development squad at Arsenal last week.
He played 70 minutes, heightening hopes that he might have returned to the squad for the FA Cup trip to Sheffield Wednesday in midweek.
But he was ruled out of that one, and now Guardiola has hinted his return could still be a long way off.
Asked if he was in the running for the trip to Old Trafford, Guardiola said: “No chance.”
And when asked how far away he is, the manager replied: “I don’t know, like I said he’s making a big process but still not 100 per cent fit - and he has to be ready and fit to play official games.
“Maybe more under-23s, weeks and games would be good, we’ll feel it, but first himself in the way he moves.
“Every week he’s getting better and will try to give him minutes but not for this game.”
Sane is yet to sign a new City contract, with Bayern Munich confident that they will sign the Germany international this summer.
