Aymeric Laporte injury: Man City defender faces lengthy spell out after undergoing knee surgery – The Independent, Independent

Manchester Cityhave announcedAymeric Laportehas successfully undergone knee surgery.

The French center-back injured himself in Saturday’s 4-0 win over Brighton after a challenge with Adam Webster.

The 25 – year-old was set to join up with the France squad for the first time this week, but after being stretchered off after 33 minutes at the weekend, he now faces a lengthy spell out.

A statement read: “Aymeric Laporte has undergone surgery on his knee after damaging his cartilage and lateral meniscus during Saturday’s win over Brighton.

“The surgery, carried out by Dr Ramon Cugat in Barcelona, ​​was successful and a more detailed prognosis will be provided in due course.

“Everyone at City wishes Aymeric a full and speedy recovery.”

Pep Guardiola will now have to contend in the title race against Liverpool with just Nicolas Otamendi as a fit and natural center-back.

John Stones is also injured and the Spaniard could turn to Fernandinho moving forward, with the Brazilian playing out of position once Laporte came off on Saturday.

“He is a holding midfielder, everyone knows it, me included but I think he has the conditions to play there,” said Guardiola.

“The problems we have there as a situation, he is going to adapt. He is intelligent, fast, strong in the headers, in the build-up, he has the quality to see what happens in front. He can play in both positions. ”