Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany is set to miss the Premier League games against title rivals Leicester and Tottenham as he struggles to overcome his latest injury setback.
Kompany, 29, has played just nine minutes in nearly three months after suffering another calf strain -- the 13th time he has suffered the same injury since he joined the club in August 2008.
City manager Manuel Pellegrini revealed that the Belgium international is also a doubt for the Champions League last-16 first-leg clash with Dynamo Kiev on Feb. 24. City face league leaders Leicester on Feb. 6 and Tottenham on Feb. 14.
"Vincent is far away from a comeback as he needs at least three weeks more to recover from his muscle injury," Pellegrini told reporters. "After that it is not only to be fit from his injury, he must be 100 percent fit to play a game."
It is another blow for City, who have missed Kompany's experience and leadership for much of the season.
He has started just eight Premier League games this term, with City having conceded just one goal with him on the pitch.
Meanwhile, Pellegrini has stated that Sergio Aguero is key to City's challenge for silverware this season -- if he can stay fit.
The Argentina international salvaged a point for the club in their 2-2 draw with West Ham on Saturday with two goals and was unlucky not to get a third with another effort that struck the inside of the post.
Aguero has four goals in his last two games, taking his total to 15 in a season hit by various injury setbacks, and Pellegrini now hopes the problems are behind him.
"Sergio is playing here for about four or five years and every year he is the best striker in the league," he said. "I hope now that he is 100 percent fit and he does not have any problem and it is very important that the team plays with him in every game."