Manchester City could be forced into the transfer market for a new defender due to Vincent Kompany's calf injury.

Kompany is facing three weeks out.

The injury could tempt manager Roberto Mancini to try to sign a defender on loan before the transfer window closes at 11pm on Thursday.

However, first-team coach David Platt said: "It's difficult to go into a market and pick people out just because you have an injury. We'll have to regroup and the manager will decide."