Manchester City's Aleksandar Kolarov ruled out for a month with calf injury

Aleksandar Kolarov will be missing some important games for City this month

Manchester City left-back Aleksandar Kolarov has been ruled out of action for the next month due to a calf injury. The 28-year old Serbian injured his calf during the warm-up before Sunday’s derby against Manchester United.

Kolarov consequently missed his team’s 1-0 victory over the city neighbours and has been sidelined for their clash against CSKA Moscow in the UEFA Champions League, as well. Former Arsenal left-back Gael Clichy, who came in for Kolarov on Sunday, can expect to feature regularly in the first-team over the next month.

"Kolarov has a muscle injury in his calf," said Pellegrini. "He will be out for at least one month. Well, I am not a doctor, but I suppose that."

He is also set to miss the CL fixture against Bayern Munich at the Etihad on November 25, 2014, in addition to 3 Premier League games against QPR, Swansea and Southampton this month.

Chance for others to step up

Gael Clichy was called upon to replace Kolarov in the eleventh hour in the Manchester derby and he did his reputation no harm. He coped admirably against Di Maria and offered plenty going forwards, in fact providing the killer cross for Aguero’s deciding goal.

23 year old Belgian youngster Dedryck Boyata is the other defender who will look at Kolarov’s injury as a window into possible first-team action.