Pep Guardiola reveals serious injury blow for Man City star after Brighton loss

Pep Guardiola had a very frustrating day at Brighton (Picture: Getty Images)

It was a bad day for Manchester City at Brighton on Sunday and there was further disappointing news as Rayan Cherki is set for a spell on the sidelines.

Pep Guardiola’s side took the lead at the Amex through Erling Haaland in the first half and things were still looking good for them after the hour mark at 1-0 ahead.

However, Matheus Nunes gave away a penalty for handball and veteran campaigner James Milner stepped up to slot the ball home.

Another substitute, Brajan Gruda, then scored the winner for Brighton in the 89th minute to secure a fabulous win for Fabian Hurzeler’s side.

Cherki was a surprise omission from the Manchester City squad for the match, with Guardiola confirming before the match that the summer-signing is suffering with an injury.

After the game, the Spaniard revealed that the Frenchman is struggling with a thigh problem and is expected to be out for two months as a result.

It is a big blow for the new arrival from Lyon, who scored on his Premier League debut in the 4-0 win over Wolves on the opening weekend of the season.

Rayan Cherki is going to miss two months of the season (Picture: Getty Images)

The 22-year-old cost £30m when he joined in June, signing a five-year deal, but will now sit out a string of matches before adding to his two Premier League appearances.

City have huge games coming up in September, which Cherki is certain to miss.

Guardiola’s side host Manchester United on the return from the international break on Sunday September 14, then start their Champions League campaign against Napoli four days later.

They continue a mammoth few days for the club by travelling to take on Arsenal in north London on Sunday September 21.

Cherki got off to a great start with Man City against Wolves (Picture: Getty Images)

It is back-to-back defeats for Manchester City after they were beaten at home by Tottenham last time out, but Guardiola was not too critical of his players as the disappointing start to the season continues.

‘We conceded two goals. We were excellent for one hour. After the goal we forgot to play. We were thinking of the consequences,’ he said.

‘I like many, many things we are doing. Like against Tottenham, we started well. I like many things the team has done here today but we were unable to win. When we conceded the goal we stopped playing.

‘It’s one game. The season has just started. There is a long, long season ahead of us. We will see what happens.’

Rodri was back in the starting line-up for Manchester City (Picture: Getty Images)

Rodri returned from injury and was in the starting line-up for Manchester City, but dismissed the idea that he can bring about results on his own, as was proved at Brighton.