Manchester City have major concerns for Mario Balotelli's fitness.
Eastlands chief Roberto Mancini hoped the £22.5million signing from Inter Milan would be out for just six weeks.
But Balotelli, who has played just 33 minutes for City, is still struggling almost two months on with club medics forced to drain fluid from his right knee because of severe swelling after training.
A source told the People: "Mario's had a nightmare start to his time at City."