Samir Nasri has confirmed that he will be out of action for "four to six months" after having surgery on a tendon.
The France international used his Twitter account to say he could now miss most of the rest of the season.
Just had surgery everything went really well hopefully will be back in 4 to 6 months. Look who came... https://t.co/6cfNwakJMO
- Samir Nasri Official (@SamNasri19) November 21, 2015
He wrote: "Just had surgery, everything went really well, hopefully will be back in four to six months."
Manchester City had hoped the former Arsenal midfielder would be fit to return against Liverpool on Saturday.
But last week Nasri posted a picture of himself on crutches and said he would be out until February.
"What doesn't kill you make you stronger," he posted on Instagram along with the picture. "I will be back better than ever see you in 3 months."
What doesn't kill you make you stronger. I will be back better than ever see you in 3 months https://t.co/mN6dWB4mpe
- Samir Nasri Official (@SamNasri19) November 18, 2015
The 28-year-old has only made one league start this season as he has slipped down the pecking order at City after the summer arrivals of Raheem Sterling and Kevin De Bruyne.
He has not featured since October's 5-1 home win over Bournemouth.