Manchester City seem certain to be without Sergio Aguero for their next four matches after the striker was omitted from the Argentina squad to face Brazil.
Aguero had targeted the 2018 World Cup qualifier on Nov. 13 as he was determined to recover from a hamstring injury in time to feature, but Argentina manager Tata Martino named a 25-man squad without the striker, who was hurt playing for his country against Ecuador.
Both Aguero and City manager Manuel Pellegrini had said they expected the 27-year-old to be out for a month, meaning he would miss seven club games.
And after sitting out the wins over Bournemouth and Sevilla and Sunday's 0-0 draw in the Manchester derby, it signifies he will not be fit for four further matches.
City host Crystal Palace in the Capital One Cup and Norwich in the Premier League before their return fixture with Sevilla and then a visit to Aston Villa.
Aguero has scored eight goals this season, including five in a 20-minute spell against Newcastle United.
In his absence, Pellegrini has chosen Wilfried Bony as City's main striker in their last three games.
The Ivory Coast international scored twice in the 5-1 win at Bournemouth, but those were his first goals of the season after eight games of the campaign and he has not been able to add to that total in his two subsequent appearances.