Premier League news: Man City's Aymeric Laporte out until the new year

Premier League champions Manchester City have been dealt a major blow with the confirmation that defender Aymeric Laporte faces an extended spell on the sidelines.

City, who are 4-9 with Hills to retain the title, will be without Laporte until the new year. Manager Pep Guardiola predicted a return for the French centre-back in "January or February" after surgery on the knee injury collected against Brighton before the international break.

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Centre-back was one area that City were slightly lacking in squad cover following the departure of club captain Vincent Kompany to Anderlecht, and Laporte is Guardiola's preferred first-choice starter alongside either Nicolas Otamendi or John Stones.

Laporte featured in 35 league matches last season with 34 starts and had been ever-present this term until his injury. His outstanding form saw Laporte force his way into the French national squad only to be denied a potential debut by the knee injury.

City won all four of the Premier League matches Laporte failed to start last season - 2-1 and 3-1 against Watford and 1-0 against West Ham and Bournemouth - but his absence could be felt more keenly when it comes to the crunch Premier League clashes.

Fernandinho replaced Laporte against Brighton and has been training with one eye on moving back from his preferred midfield position, something Guardiola successfully managed when it came to reinventing Javier Mascherano as a centre-back at Barcelona.

Kyle Walker could also adapt to a centre-back role, particularly as full-back Joao Cancelo arrived from Juventus this summer, but it will no doubt give 5-2 title shots Liverpool more belief in the title race.

City must also do without fellow injury victim Leroy Sane until 2020 and will therefore be relieved that the Champions League draw was kind to them with their group containing Shakhtar, Atalanta and Dinamo Zagreb.

Guardiola's outfit are 7-2 tournament favourites and those looking for a silver lining could at least be comforted by the fact that Laporte and Sane should be fresh once it comes to the knockout phase.

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