Manchester City confirm Ilkay Gundogan has NOT suffered serious injury and he is expected to return to training ‘in the next few days’
MANCHESTER CITY midfielder Ilkay Gundogan has been cleared of serious injury following tests on his left knee, the club have reported.
The Germany international was examined by club medical staff on Thursday and no significant damage was revealed.
The problem was diagnosed as a sprain and the 26-year-old could soon be back in action.
A report on the club's website read: "It is too early at this stage to give an exact time-frame on his absence but he is expected to be back on the training field in the coming days."
The player himself tweeted: "Hi all, thank you for all your messages! I'm happy to tell you my injury is nothing serious and I hope to be back soon on the pitch!"
Gungoan will probably not be available for Saturday's Premier League game against Crystal Palace, or even Tuesday's Champions League visit of Shakhtar Donetsk, but the September 30 trip to Chelsea could be a realistic comeback target.
Manager Pep Guardiola had said after the game that he did not think the problem would be serious.
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Gundogan, who had returned to action as a substitute in the 6-0 win at Watford last weekend, was hurt in a challenge from Claudio Yacob.
Guardiola added: "I think it's not serious, it's not eight months, but a little injury.
"Unfortunately the action is tough. He will be back soon, hopefully."
The 26-year-old only made his return from injury at the weekend, playing a cameo role from the bench in the win against Watford.
His last game had been last December, also against Watford, when he suffered a serious knee injury that required surgery.
The German international had looked sharp at The Hawthorns, setting up Leroy Sane’s opener just three minutes into the game.
But just before the hour mark Yacob launched a reckless tackle at Gundogan from behind and caught his ankle and knee.
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