Striker Bojinov spent a year out of action after picking up a knee ligament injury in only his third match for the club against Manchester United last August.

Now he will be out of action until the New Year after snapping his Achilles during the warm-up before Sunday's Barclays Premier League match at Aston Villa.

It began what turned out to be another miserable day for City, who were beaten 4-2 with Gabriel Agbonlahor netting a hat-trick.

City manager Mark Hughes said: "It looks like Valeri has snapped his Achilles and will be out for six months. It is a huge blow for the lad.

"We are all desperately disappointed for him. This has come on top of being out for a year already so it is a huge blow for him."