Ilkay Gundogan Injury: Manchester City Star Reportedly to Miss Rest of Season

Manchester City star Ilkay Gundogan will reportedly miss the rest of the season with a cruciate ligament injury, with manager Pep Guardiola saying the German is set to be out for "a long time."  

The midfielder suffered a knee problem during the team's 2-0 win over Watford on Wednesday night, and according to The Sun's Dave Fraser, he could be out between six and eight months.

German outlet Kicker (h/t the Guardian's Marcus Christenson) offered a similar report:

"I'm so sad, as it looks like we'll be without him for a long time," Guardiola said after the game, per BBC Sport.

On Friday, Guardiola told reporters that Gundogan will have surgery to repair his ACL, per Caroline Oatway of the club's official website:

"

It's so so difficult for him, it's sad for him, we're going to miss him a lot, it's unlucky, but that's football. 

Now we need him to feel we are there and wait and come back safe. He’s going to be operated (upon) and be back as soon as possible.

"

As noted by Jonathan Fadugba of Just Football, it was clear how disappointed the City boss was as he addressed the media after the contest:

The news will come as yet another frustrating blow to the Germany international, for whom injuries have become a problem in recent years.

Gundogan was absent for almost the entirety of the 2013-14 season with a back injury, and according to Transfermarkt, he missed 15 games for Borussia Dortmund last season as a result of a series of fitness problems.

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The 26-year-old was also an absentee for Germany at UEFA Euro 2016 after suffering a dislocated kneecap.

When fit, Gundogan is an outstanding player, and his exceptional distribution and excellent reading of the game is what earned him a move to Guardiola's side in the summer.

The Sky Blues have Fernando, Fernandinho and Fabian Delph to call upon in his absence, but none of them can knit play together in the same way the former Dortmund man can.

If City are to beat the likes of Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool to the Premier League title, Guardiola needs his best players available throughout the season. With Gundogan seemingly out of action for the remainder of this campaign, it will hinder their chances.