Manchester City's £24m man set to be sidelined for six weeks

Manchester City striker Mario Balotelli is set to undergo surgery in a bid to cure his ongoing knee problem.

The Italian injured his lateral meniscus when coming on as a substitute for his debut against Timisoara in the Europa League last month and faces around six weeks on the sidelines.

He managed a goal in that short 33 minute appearance but has not played for City since as he has been resting the injury.

However, after suffering a set-back in training this week, City have now decided to operate to correct the problem for good.

The club are hopeful the 20-year-old will be back in time for the crunch meeting with Arsenal on 24 October.

He is likely to miss the Premier League games against Blackburn, Wigan, West Brom, Chelsea, Newcastle and Blackpool.

Balotelli will also sit out of the Europa League group stage ties against Red Bull Salzburg, Juventus and Lech Poznan.