Vassell out for 10 weeks

Manchester City striker Darius Vassell is expected to be sidelined for about 10 weeks because of a knee injury.

Vassell suffered the setback in the victory over AC Milan at the weekend and will sit out the UEFA Cup game against Danish side FC Midtjylland tomorrow and the start of the Premier League season.

Manager Mark Hughes said: "It is likely Darius will not be available for something like 10 weeks.

"He will be in a brace for six weeks and then will need another month to build up his fitness.

"Missing the start of the season is disappointing for him and myself as he has been exceptional in pre-season."

With Jo at the Olympics representing Brazil and Benjani Mwaruwari injured, Hughes is short of options up front against the Danes in this first leg second qualifying round tie.

However the former Blackburn boss welcomes back defender Vedran Corluka - who has been linked with a move to Tottenham - and winger Martin Petrov after they missed the Milan game.

Provisional squad: Hart, Corluka, Onuoha, Richards, Dunne, Ben Haim, Ball, Garrido, Fernandes, Hamann, Ireland, Johnson, Etuhu, Elano, Bianchi, Bojinov, Evans, Sturridge, Castillo, Schmeichel, Caicedo.