Ilkay Gundogan offers support to injured City team-mate Benjamin Mendy

Benjamin Mendy faces a lengthy lay-off due to a knee injury. Credit: PA

Ilkay Gundogan has offered his support to Manchester City team-mate Benjamin Mendy with the defender facing a lengthy lay-off due to a knee injury.

Left-back Mendy was hurt in a tackle on Andros Townsend during City's 5-0 win over Crystal Palace at the Etihad Stadium last Saturday.

The France international is to visit Barcelona-based specialist Dr Ramon Cugat for a full assessment of the injury this week but manager Pep Guardiola has said he could be out for a long time.

Midfielder Gundogan has only just returned to action himself after spending nine months on the sidelines following knee surgery, so he can sympathise.

The German said:

Gundogan suffered another injury scare after taking a blow to his other knee during his first start since last December, in the Carabao Cup tie at West Brom.

But the problem did not prove to be serious and the 26-year-old came off the bench in Tuesday's Champions League victory over Shakhtar Donetsk.

Gundogan said: