Manchester City for Champions League return leg without Silva

Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini says midfielder David Silva will miss next week’s Champions League semi-final, second leg against Real Madrid through injury.

But fellow midfielder Yaya Toure, who missed the first leg 0-0 draw at the Etihad Stadium, could be in line for a return.

“David has a small hamstring injury so he will not be fit for this week,” Pellegrini told a press conference on Friday. “He needs two or three weeks to recover.

“Yaya starts working today – we’ll see the way he improves through the weekend – we’ll see if he’s fit on Wednesday. He has some option.”

Pellegrini also expressed his annoyance that his side’s clash with Southampton could not be brought forward from Sunday, when Real Madrid are due to play their league match on Saturday.

“I don’t understand why we cannot play one day before,” he said.

“Why can’t we at least be in the same situation as Real Madrid?

“We are representing Manchester City but we are also representing England in the Champions League. You don’t want to give advantage to the other team.”

Source: GNA