Manchester City injury news: Wilfried Bony, Pablo Zabaleta, Fernando and Gael Clichy to miss Watford clash

Manchester City have suffered a blow after striker Wilfried Bony picked up an injury and is set to be on the sidelines for over a week. He will miss the table-topping clash against Watford at the Etihad on Saturday, 29 August.

The former Swansea star posted a picture of himself on Instagram, in which he is wearing a large protective boot. City manager Manuel Pellegrini confirmed Bony had a cut on his leg, adding that three other players -Pablo Zabaleta, Fernando and Gael Clichy - will miss the tie against the Hornets.

Sergio Aguero will still be the main man to lead the Citizens' strike force and he will start for his side against Watford. However, the Chilean boss admitted the injuries have forced him to include three youngsters, Pablo Maffeo, Patrick Roberts and Kelechi, in the squad.

"Unfortunately Bony had a cut on his leg yesterday, so he is not able to play tomorrow. I think after the international break he will be ready so he will be out around 7-10 days," Pellegrini is quoted as saying by the club's official website.

"For tomorrow we have three young players in our squad, because we have a few players who are injured so we have Pablo Maffeo, Patrick Roberts and Kelechi in the squad list."

The former Real Madrid manager also suggested Zabaleta and Clichy could take over a month to return to action following their injuries.

"I hope Fernando will be fit again during the international break. For Clichy, I do not know exactly because I am not a doctor but around 6-7 weeks, and Pablo will be out for about a month with a his ligaments," the City manager explained.

City secured the services of centre-back Nicolas Otamendi from Valencia in this summer transfer window. Pellegrini dropped a hint that the South American defender may have to wait to get his first start for his new club.

"We did not sign Otamendi for one or two games, we signed him for three or four years. We are doing very well at defending at the moment but we don't just need a team, we need a squad," he stressed.