(Reuters) – Manchester City defender Aymeric Laporte has undergone surgery for a knee injury and could be out until September, manager Pep Guardiola said on Friday ahead of the Premier League champions’ Community Shield clash with FA Cup winners Liverpool.
The 28-year-old France-born Spain centre back missed City’s pre-season tour of the United States this month during which they beat Club America and Bayern Munich.
“Laporte is injured,” Guardiola told reporters before Saturday’s clash at Leicester City’s King Power Stadium.
“He had surgery. Last season he played the last few games with an injury, he made an incredible effort but he could not continue to do that.
“So far he’s doing really well. You have to be careful because it was his knee. If all goes well he will start to be with us in September.”
Guardiola said City were in the market to sign a left back following the departure of Oleksandr Zinchenko to Arsenal, with British media linking the champions with Brighton & Hove Albion’s Marc Cucurella.
“He is a Brighton player. I can’t say anything else,” Guardiola said.
“If it’s possible, yes (we will sign one), if not we stay. Joao Cancelo can play there… Nathan Ake too. I never complain about the squad I have since the first season. What the club can do is for the benefit of the club, not me.”
City have signed forward Erling Haaland, midfielder Kalvin Phillips and goalkeeper Stefan Ortega and Guardiola said the trio would not take long to settle in.
“Stefan surprises us a lot in all aspects on the ball and build-up, Kalvin knows the Premier League perfectly. The way they settle in the few games we play, I think they will.”
Guardiola thanked Raheem Sterling and fellow forward Gabriel Jesus, who left the club to join Chelsea and Arsenal.
“If you analyse what happened in the last years, without these important players would be difficult to imagine. The influence on and off the pitch,” Guardiola said.
“Today in world football this situation happens. We wish them the best. The right people, I feel they settle quickly, they are accepted and down to earth, humble people.
“Tomorrow we try for the first title, it’s an honour to be here, it’s a big success to be there.”
(Reporting by Shrivathsa Sridhar in Bengaluru; Editing by Ken Ferris and Toby Davis)
