City manager Nigel Pearson remains hopeful that Sean St. Ledger can defy early diagnosis and make a sooner-than-expected return to action.
The Republic of Ireland defender sustained a knee injury in training ahead of Sunday’s goalless draw with Leeds United, which is expected to keep him sidelined for up to six weeks.
But while the arrival of Spain Under-21 international Ignasi Miquel on loan from Arsenal should provide him with sufficient defensive cover, Pearson admitted there was a chance St. Ledger could recover more quickly.
“It happens and it’s unfortunate, but historically he’s been a pretty quick healer, so six weeks is probably being a bit pessimistic,” Pearson said after Sunday’s game at King Power Stadium.
“It might be three or four (weeks), but it will be what it will be. You can’t do a lot about contact injuries. I’d be annoyed if it was something avoidable, but you can’t do much about things like that.
“It’s not ideal and it’s disappointing for Ledge, but that’s football.
“We’ve got plenty of options. Paul Konchesky went into the left side of the three today, he’s played there before so it’s no problem.”