Manchester City midfielder David Silva is unlikely to feature against Liverpool next weekend, according to manager Pep Guardiola.

Silva needed to be withdrawn at half time of Saturday's 2-1 victory over Southampton, with it being suggested that the club captain suffered a muscular injury.

While City are yet to reveal a recovery time, Guardiola feels that the Spaniard will be absent until after the international break.

The City boss is quoted by The Mirror as saying: "I don't think so. I didn't speak with the doctor, but when he has a muscular problem and cannot play more minutes, it's because he has something.

"When it's a muscular problem, it's always a minimum of 10 to 12 days. Five minutes before the first half ended, he told me he had a muscular problem."

Silva will also miss Wednesday evening's Champions League meeting with Atalanta BC in Italy.

Written by
Darren Plant