Semenyo out eight weeks with knee injury, Maresca confirms

Manchester City winger Antoine Semenyo faces eight weeks on the sideline after picking up a knee injury late in Saturday's 3-2 Premier League win over Ipswich Town, manager Enzo Maresca confirmed on Monday.

Scans taken on Sunday revealed the extent of the damage, with Maresca saying the club had initially feared a worse outcome. "In the first moment we expected an even worse injury so we were more worried," he said. "After yesterday's scan we feel much better because it's not so big like we expected."

Maresca indicated Semenyo could return around December. "When he is back around December it will be like a new player in terms of energy," the Italian said.

Semenyo had featured in all seven of City's Premier League matches this season and had been identified as a potential centre-forward option to give Erling Haaland rotation cover. Haaland, who scored twice against Ipswich, also took a knock during the game but is expected to be available for Tuesday's Champions League fixture against AEK Athens at the Etihad.

"He can be available," Maresca said of Haaland. "He was quite good yesterday. Better. So we'll see today."

Asked how he would cover for Semenyo in attack, Maresca was relaxed. "We have different players that we are going to try to find a new solution," he said. "At the moment it's Erling. Why do we need to think about a different nine when Erling is there?"

City sit top of the Premier League with seven wins from seven games heading into the European tie.