Manchester City will be without midfielder Stephen Ireland for two weeks with a hamstring injury.
Ireland lasted just 55 minutes of Monday's 3-0 Premier League victory over Wolves and scans have revealed a minor strain.
The midfielder will now miss Saturday's FA Cup third-round tie with Middlesbrough and also next week's Carling Cup semi-final first leg showdown with city rivals Manchester United.
He is also doubtful for the league visit of Blackburn Rovers to the City of Manchester Stadium on Monday January 11.
"Stephen Ireland has had a scan on the hamstring injury he picked up against Wolves and will be out of action for a fortnight," confirmed a club statement.
"City manager Roberto Mancini had hoped to have City's player of the season available for some part of the cup double-header.
"The hope now is that Ireland will return for the second leg (of the Carling Cup semi-final) at Old Trafford on January 19."
Source: DSG
