Manchester City defender Benjamin Mendy ruled out for nine months?

Manchester City defender Benjamin Mendy could reportedly be on the sidelines for nine months with a knee injury.

Manager Pep Guardiola suggested to the media on Tuesday evening that the Frenchman, who joined the club from Monaco in a £52m deal in the summer, is facing a lengthy spell on the sidelines.

There has been no official word as yet, but according to talkSPORT, after visiting knee specialist Dr Ramon Cugat in Barcelona, Mendy has learned that he could miss nine months of action due to a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament.

The 23-year-old suffered the blow during a challenge from Andros Townsend in Saturday's 5-0 win over Crystal Palace at the Etihad Stadium.

Guardiola has already indicated that he will consider bringing in a new player in the January transfer window to act as cover.