Manchester City face a new injury concern for Kevin de Bruyne ahead of a showdown with English Premier League title rivals Arsenal after the playmaker was substituted at half-time of the goalless draw against Inter Milan in the Champions League.
The Belgium midfielder looked in discomfort after making a run late in the first half. After receiving treatment, De Bruyne didn't return for the second half and was replaced by Ilkay Gundogan.
City host Arsenal at Etihad Stadium on Sunday.
Manager Pep Guardiola said he didn't know the extent of De Bruyne's injury, but was informed by the club doctor the playmaker could not carry on in the second half.
Last season, De Bruyne was sidelined from August to January with a hamstring problem. He returned to help the club secure a record fourth successive Premier League title.
He has started every game this season and scored in City's 4-1 win against Ipswich last month.
City held off challenges from Arsenal the past two seasons to lift the title. The Gunners remain chief threats this term.
Arsenal have their own injury problems ahead of the game after captain Martin Odegaard was ruled out with ankle ligament damage suffered on international duty with Norway.
Without De Bruyne, City failed to find a breakthrough against Inter and were shut out at home in the Champions League for the first time since a 0-0 draw with Sporting Lisbon in March 2022.
Erling Haaland has looked unstoppable this season with nine goals in his first four games of the campaign. But that run was snapped by Inter with the Norway striker stuck on 99 goals for City.
Haaland also failed to score against the Italians in the Champions League final in 2023, which City won 1-0.
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Kevin De Bruyne couldn't carry on after getting injured against Inter Milan. REUTERS
