Alvaro Negredo to miss beginning of the Premier League season due to metatarsal fracture

Alvaro Negredo is out for a few months due to a metatarsal injury

Manchester City’s Spanish forward Alvaro Negredo is set to be out of action for a few months after sustaining a fracture to his fifth metatarsal.

The ex-Real Madrid hitman sustained the injury while playing in Manchester City’s pre-season friendly win over Hearts on Friday.

This would come as a major setback to Manuel Pellegrini’s plans of preparing his side for a second successive Premier League. This might put the Citizens back in action in the transfer market to get a forward with Sergio Aguero and Edin Dzeko the only two recognized men now left up front.

The forward, fondly known as “the Beast” took to his Instagram account to show the extent of the damage he suffered from the game with a picture of his leg fitted over by a cast.

In a message written in Spanish, Negredo reached out to his fans telling: “I want to let you know that it’s going to be hard for the next few months, I fractured my 5th metatarsal and will be out a few months. I will be back stronger than ever”

The striker has been linked with a move away from The Etihad in recent times. Many tabloids have linked him with a return to his native Spain, with Atletico Madrid reportedly set to pounce on the “unsettled” striker to replace the now departed Diego Costa.

However, he came out last week to quash all rumours regarding his impending departure: "I don't want to leave City. I'm very happy and very settled here.

"I had a difficult end to the season and that's why there has been a lot of talking, but I've been very happy here from the first day I arrived."

Manchester City play their first game of the new season away to Newcastle United on 17th August.