English Premier League: Manuel Pellegrini ‘hopeful’ of Silva’s recovery
Midfielder’s ankle injury overshadows City’s 3-1 win over Baggies.
"If we do our work and win games, anything is possible," says Manuel Pellegrini. PHOTO: AFP
MANCHESTER:
Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini said he hoped the ankle injury sustained by midfielder David Silva was not serious after it overshadowed his side’s 3-1 win against West Bromwich Albion.
“He has played the last three games with some pain in his ankle,” said Pellegrini. “We don’t know if that pain has increased or if it is another problem.
“We will see with the doctor what happened with David. Hopefully, it will be a short term injury.
“Now we will see what happens with David. It’s the same ankle. His injury started with a kick some weeks ago and every week he plays in pain.”
City are now six points behind Premier League leaders Liverpool, with a game in hand, after goals from the Argentinian trio of Pablo Zabaleta, Sergio Aguero and Martin Demichelis secured victory at Eastlands on Monday.
But the three points came at a cost, with Spain playmaker Silva taken off on a stretcher in the second half after an awkward tangle with West Brom’s Morgan Amalfitano.
Pellegrini confirmed that Silva, who returned to the side after he missed City’s 2-2 draw with Sunderland, will be assessed by the club’s medical staff in the next 24 hours.
‘Our duty is to win the remaining games’
Pellegrini insisted this victory showed third-placed City will not let their standards slip during the remainder of the season as they look to maintain the pressure on Liverpool and Chelsea, the two teams above them in the table.
“It’s exactly the same but we now have three more points,” said Pellegrini.
“We always talk with the players that if Liverpool win their three matches and win 14 in a row they will be champions,” the Chilean added.
“But our duty is to win the remaining games and in that way Liverpool can feel pressure. If we do our work and win games, anything is possible.”
Published in The Express Tribune, April 23rd, 2014.
Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini said he hoped the ankle injury sustained by midfielder David Silva was not serious after it overshadowed his side’s 3-1 win against West Bromwich Albion.
“He has played the last three games with some pain in his ankle,” said Pellegrini. “We don’t know if that pain has increased or if it is another problem.
“We will see with the doctor what happened with David. Hopefully, it will be a short term injury.
“Now we will see what happens with David. It’s the same ankle. His injury started with a kick some weeks ago and every week he plays in pain.”
City are now six points behind Premier League leaders Liverpool, with a game in hand, after goals from the Argentinian trio of Pablo Zabaleta, Sergio Aguero and Martin Demichelis secured victory at Eastlands on Monday.
But the three points came at a cost, with Spain playmaker Silva taken off on a stretcher in the second half after an awkward tangle with West Brom’s Morgan Amalfitano.
Pellegrini confirmed that Silva, who returned to the side after he missed City’s 2-2 draw with Sunderland, will be assessed by the club’s medical staff in the next 24 hours.
‘Our duty is to win the remaining games’
Pellegrini insisted this victory showed third-placed City will not let their standards slip during the remainder of the season as they look to maintain the pressure on Liverpool and Chelsea, the two teams above them in the table.
“It’s exactly the same but we now have three more points,” said Pellegrini.
“We always talk with the players that if Liverpool win their three matches and win 14 in a row they will be champions,” the Chilean added.
“But our duty is to win the remaining games and in that way Liverpool can feel pressure. If we do our work and win games, anything is possible.”
Published in The Express Tribune, April 23rd, 2014.