Pablo Zabaleta Injury: Updates on Manchester City Star's Status and Return

Pablo Zabaleta was stretchered off in the second half of Manchester City's drubbing of Crystal Palace in the fourth round of the Capital One Cup at the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday. He will be unavailable for the side's Premier League fixture with Norwich City.

Continue for updates.

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Pellegrini Confirms Recurrence of Zabaleta Knee Problem

Friday, Oct. 30

"Zabaleta has the same injury in his medial ligament," said manager Manuel Pellegrini, per City. "He should be back after the next international break."

The Manchester Evening News' Stuart Brennan provided details of Zabaleta's problem on Oct. 28: "Zabaleta [is] about to be stretchered off—[an] accidental collision with [Wilfried] Zaha seemed to open his knee up a little."

Zabaleta already endured a spell on the sidelines this season after picking up a knee injury in August.

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Zabaleta Absence Highlights Loss of City's Leaders

Pellegrini will be hoping Zabaleta's injury problems don't continue, as City are already missing the key duo of Sergio Aguero and David Silva.

Bacary Sagna has deputised at right-back in Zabaleta's absence and will likely maintain his place in the team throughout November. He offers greater pace than the Argentinian but cannot be considered the same driving force as the absent City leader.