Manchester City defender Benjamin Mendy begins his trip to Barcelona to see knee specialist as boss Pep Guardiola sweats on lengthy absence

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Benjamin Mendy has begun his journey to Barcelona to see a specialist after his recent knee injury.

The Manchester City defender was snapped getting into a car with his right leg in a protective leg brace ahead of his trip to Spain.

City's £52million summer signing Mendy missed his side's 2-0 Champions League victory over Shakhtar Donetsk on Tuesday night at the Etihad Stadium and could only watch as Kevin De Bruyne and Raheem Sterling lead his team-mates to victory.

Benjamin Mendy casts a glum look as the defender faces a long-term absence from the pitch

City's £52million summer signing visited a knee specialist in Barcelona on Wednesday

And the Manchester City defender is set to be absence for 'months' after suffering the injury

The 23-year-old flew out on Wednesday for further tests and consultation as Guardiola is left sweating over his potential long-term absence, originally feared to be many 'months'.

'Our first impression is that it will it be a little long, longer than we expected,' said the City boss. 'We would miss him a lot – it would be a major setback.

'It's very frustrating for him. Like what happened last year with Ilkay Gundogan, I feel really sad. For the way we want to play, he is a unique player.'

He was snapped being escorted on crutches and with his right leg in a brace

The 23-year-old was caught in a challenge with Palace's Andros Townsend and was forced off

Despite his unavailability, Guardiola has been resourceful during the summer and has back up available in Danilo, Fernandinho and Fabian Delph, who filled the vacant position at the Etihad on Tuesday.

Mendy though, appears to know as little as those speculating over his injury, with rumours of a ruptured ACL being tossed around, Tweeting during his trip to Barcelona.

'No one has test to see if ruptured ACL or not, even I don't know,' he tweeted in one reply.

And could only watch on as City beat Shakhtar Donetsk 2-0 in the Champions League

Guardiola will be hoping not to lose his full back, as he did Ilkay Gundugan for nine months last season with a similar injury, as City look to protect their unbeaten record at Stamford Bridge on Saturday against Chelsea.

City have kept five clean sheets in their previous six outings, and remained water-tight against a dangerous Donetsk side on Tuesday.

Their Spanish coach will be looking for a similar display this weekend, even if he has to make do without Mendy.

City are expecting the Frenchman to be unavailable for 'months' and face Chelsea on Saturday