• Defender suffers blow in training following recent move • City will not sign free agent despite defensive problems

This article is more than 7 years old

This article is more than 7 years old

Martin Demichelis has been ruled out for six weeks following a knee ligament injury suffered in training but Manchester City will not sign a free agent to replace the central defender, who joined for £3.5m on Sunday.

With Matija Nastasic now available following an ankle issue, and Micah Richards close to returning from a hamstring injury, Manuel Pellegrini, the manager, has sufficient options in central defence despite the captain, Vincent Kompany, still recovering from a groin problem.

Following the international break City are at Stoke City, before they travel to Viktoria Plzen in the opening Champions League group game before the visit of Manchester United on 22 September for the derby.