Manchester City winger Antoine Semenyo faces up to eight weeks out with a knee injury he picked up in Saturday’s 3-2 win over Ipswich, manager Enzo Maresca has confirmed.
The 26-year-old limped out of the Etihad clash after coming on as a substitute. A scan this week set the likely lay-off at around two months, which points to a return somewhere near December.
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City had feared worse, and Maresca admitted the results came as a relief when he spoke to reporters, in remarks relayed by the Press Association.
After the scan we feel much better, because it is not as bad as we expected.
The news still stings. Semenyo joined City from Bournemouth in January in a deal reported at around £65m, and he has scored twice this season, both in the same league game against Sunderland last month.
Who is Antoine Semenyo?
Semenyo is a powerful, direct forward who can play off either flank or through the middle. London-born, he came up through Bristol City and made his name at Bournemouth before his move north, and he now represents Ghana at international level.
At his best he is all pace and strength, the kind of runner who stretches tired defences late in games. That is exactly the sort of option City will miss over a congested autumn.
What it means for Manchester City
The timing is awkward. Erling Haaland also left the Ipswich game limping after a knock to the foot, and Semenyo was the obvious cover up front, so Maresca is suddenly short of attacking bodies.
There was better news on the striker, with Maresca saying Haaland “can be available” and that the squad would train before any call. City host AEK Athens in the Champions League on Tuesday.
We will keep tabs on his recovery alongside the rest of our Portsmouth and Premier League football news as the weeks tick down to his return.
