Manchester City confirm Benjamin Mendy knee ligament damage

Manchester City full-back Benjamin Mendy is facing a spell on the sidelines after rupturing the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee.

The 23-year-old suffered the injury following a challenge from Andros Townsend during the first half of last weekend's 5-0 win over Crystal Palace at the Etihad Stadium.

Mendy, who became the world's most expensive defender when joining City from Monaco in a £51m deal in the summer, is now facing up to nine months on the sidelines after the severity of the damage was confirmed.

A club statement read: "After initial tests in Manchester at the start of the week, Benjamin travelled to Barcelona to see a specialist doctor, where further examinations of the knee today confirmed the extent of the injury.

"Benjamin will undergo surgery tomorrow in Barcelona, and everyone at the club wishes him a speedy recovery."

Mendy attempted to make light of the injury when taking to social media on Thursday night, posting: "Bad news guys - I will be joining Injury FC on loan for a couple months with ruptured ACL but will be back soon and stronger hopefully."

The France international will be treated by Ramon Cugat - a close friend of Pep Guardiola who also worked closely with Vincent Kompany and Kevin De Bruyne last season.