Manchester City News 24/7Writer: Johnny Baguette 
Date:Wednesday November 5 2008
Time: 12:09PM
UK time is: 04:52:53
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Petrov Out Of The Equation
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The knee ligament damage he sustained on international duty with Bulgaria in the early days of rehabilitation from another injury has failed to respond to strengthening treatment. The only solution is surgery.
Rigbsy is on his way to Spain to see a specialist and Bluesy estimates City will be without his considerable presence for up to 4 months:
'Martin is going to see a surgeon and he will probably stay and have an operation. If that is the case he will probably be out for three to four months. That would be a blow for us as he gives us more options. Martin had a good pre-season and last year he was one of our outstanding performers. But at the moment it looks as though he will have to go in for an operation.'
A couple of months ago we were all fired up to see SWP on the right and Petrov on the left but that might not be realised this season. A hell of a shame coming on the back of the once resurgent Valeri Bojinov's freak injury.
One note of concern is the seriousness of Petrov's injury related to his age. Already 29, he does not have the time on his side that The Boj has to fire on all cylinders again.
On a brighter note, some better news for the City engine room as Michael Johnson has returned to training in a bid to finally shake off a persistent abdominal problem.
Bluesy said: 'We'll look to get him out again to work through the injury, hopefully if we do that then he'll be playing again.'
Both these injury issues in key positions raise one question...
...should City move for a naturally left sided winger and a box to box midfielder in January or hold out for hopefully successful returns to form of Rigsby and Johnno....?
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Your Comments
Sounds like his season is over before it has begun.
alphieblues
We can't rely on them both being fit by January and therefore need signings in both positions as all the top teams have backup for all positions.
alphieblues
Clearly that nonsense that they thought that strengthening the knee was not going to work - another two weeks wasted - very poor medical advice - those medical people should be sidelined.
Gavin Cooper
he will be missed, hope he has a speedy recovery.
ArabianKnight
Spot on, Gav.
Johnny Baguette
Not what we wanted to hear with the fixtures coming thick and fast.
oliverblue
Not pointing the finger here(yes I am) we should have pulled Petrov out of the Internationals if there was a doubt about his fitness, no point in saying I thought they wouldn't play him after being injured for so long.
Buzz Lightyear
As we said a few weeks back, Taggart would have not allowed him to travel.
Johnny Baguette
JB, "return to form" comes after getting basic levels of fitness. And takes time. Hughes is Manager. He has to decide whether he has the squad resources to take us forward in the sure knowledge that these two key players are guaranteed to "not be match fit and in form." If there is no un-sung Reserve team or Academy graduate ready to step forward and substitute credibly for these top players then we either buy or try to think nice thoughts... beautiful sunsets, the scent of bruised sandalwood, butterflies, Sven and Nancy skipping through the olive groves of Mexico... smiling happy children having fun... But the worm in the apple is that City are not in the position of attracting ANY top players if they say they won't be able to travel to internationals...
Sindbad
Good call, Sindbad. I know Taggart does it all the time, but I guess that's becasue an established squad and cover in all areas. Catch 22. And that's Dunney's squad number!
Johnny Baguette
Thankfully Ireland isn't playing any internationals! Good on you, Stevie!
Sindbad
Sinbad it's not a case of not allowing players to go off to Internationals, it's a case of only letting them go if they are 100% fit. This is where MH should have stamped his authority and not let a player go who has only played 20 minutes of football all season.
alphieblues
all points mentioned are true........but I wonder if the injury would have still happened in his next game for us.......
lincolnblue
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