Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has confirmed that defender Nathan Ake will be sidelined until the next international break due to injury.
The 29-year-old was handed his 53rd international cap for the Oranje on Tuesday night when they played out a 2-2 UEFA Nations League draw with Germany at the Johan Cruijff ArenA.
However, Ake's evening in Amsterdam was cut short when he pulled up with what appeared to be a serious muscle injury in the 41st minute, after attempting to control the ball with his outstretched left foot.
Ake was on the brink of tears after he was placed onto a stretcher and Guardiola has since revealed how long the defender is set to be sidelined for.
Speaking about Ake at a press conference on Friday ahead of Saturday's Premier League clash at home to Brentford, Guardiola said: "Injured. I think it will be until the next international break.
"We are unlucky with the national team, every time he goes there (to play for the Netherlands) he gets injured."
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How many Man City games will Ake miss?
Ake's injury comes as a "blow" to Guardiola and co according to Man City expert Steven McInerney from Esteemed Kompany, who has exclusively told Sports Mole that his absence will put "a lot of pressure" on fellow left-sided defender Josko Gvardiol heading into a busy fixture schedule.
Man City are now preparing for seven games in the space of just 21 days across all competitions before the next international break in the middle of October, and Ake will be sidelined for all seven of those.
After facing Brentford this weekend, Man City will turn their attention to their first Champions League game in the newly-expanded competition at home to Serie A champions Inter Milan next Wednesday - a repeat of the 2023 final in Istanbul.
The Citizens will then prepare for a challenging trip to the Emirates Stadium to face Premier League title rivals Arsenal on September 22, and then have just 49 hours to prepare for an EFL Cup third-round tie at home to Championship side Watford.
Man City conclude the month of September with a Premier League trip to Newcastle United, before gearing up for their first Champions League away game in the new League Phase against Slovakian club Slovan Bratislava on October 1.
Four days later, Guardiola's side welcome Fulham to the Etihad for their final Premier League fixture before the next international break, with a trip to Wolverhampton Wanderers on October 20 scheduled to be their first game back and one Ake that will be targeting a return for.
Meanwhile, Guardiola has provided an update on Erling Haaland's availability as the striker - who has been voted as the Premier League Player of the Month for August - is currently mourning the loss of close family friend Ivar Eggja, who passed away earlier this week.
Oliver Thomas
