Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany will be out for the next few weeks with a knee injury.
The Belgian defender limped off in the first half of Saturday's Premier League win at Crystal Palace.
He was making just his fifth appearance of the season when he was withdrawn from the field of play.
"We have to try to help him week after week to see if he can play more often," said Man City manager Pep Guardiola of his club captain.
"We have to try to help him week after week to see if he can play more often. He could be out for weeks. He's sad and I'm sad. It's a long time he doesn't play."
Manchester City's goalkeeper Claudio Bravo, top, lands after colliding with his teammate Vincent Kompany, bottom, as he makes a catch under pressure from Crystal Palace's Jason Puncheon, left, during the English Premier League soccer match between Crystal Palace and Manchester City at Selhurst Park stadium in London, Saturday, Nov. 19, 2016. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham)
Guardiola was also worried he may also have suffered concussion after colliding with City goalkeeper Claudio Bravo.
"Fortunately there is nothing wrong with the head but in that action he had a problem with the knee," he said, adding that it was ligament related.
"He is in the best hands so he can recover as soon as possible. He will make the best treatment possible."
Kompany's career has become increasingly affected by injury.
The 70-cap Belgium defender missed Euro 2016 after he was ruled out with a muscle strain.
The 30-year-old made just 14 Premier League appearances during the 2015-16 season due to muscle injuries and has not reached the 30 league match per season mark since the start of the 2012-13 campaign.
In his absence, Guardiola has used John Stones, Nicolas Otamendi and Aleksandar Kolarov as his main centre back options at City this season.
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