Knee surgery will keep Petrov out

The Manchester City midfielder Martin Petrov could have surgery next week.

Manchester City winger Martin Petrov has to have a knee operation that is likely to keep him out of action for four months. Petrov's injury - which occurred while he was on international duty with Bulgaria - failed to respond to treatment and the former Atletico Madrid player will return to Spain next week for surgery. The City manager Mark Hughes said: "He will probably be out for three to four months.

"That would be a blow for us as he gives us more options. "It is a frustration for us as it happened on international duty. That makes it more difficult to take. "Martin had a good pre-season and last year he was one of our outstanding performers. "But at the moment it looks as though he will have to go in for an operation." News of Petrov's injury comes on the back of a problem for the club's captain Richard Dunne. The centre-back has fluid on the knee following the defeat by Bolton on Sunday and his fitness will be monitored today to see if he can play against the Dutch side FC Twente in their first game of the Uefa Cup's group stage tonight.

Hughes may be without Dunne, but the strikers, Benjani and Darius Vassell, could figure at Eastlands after returning from thigh and knee injuries respectively. Michael Ball is also back in contention after an ankle problem. Twente are managed by a familiar face in Steve McClaren, the former England and Middlesbrough manager. City supporters will be keen to get one over McClaren as he was also previously assistant manager to Alex Ferguson at their rivals Manchester United

City will be favourites to win the game, but Hughes warned his side to be cautious. "We have enjoyed the games in Europe. They are a decent team, who are very well organised and it's going to be a good test," he said. [e-mail]