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Kompany out for a month

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Manchester City expect to be without captain Vincent Kompany for a month because of his groin injury.

Kompany limped off in Monday's 4-0 win over Newcastle and could be a doubt for the Manchester derby on September 22.

He is certain to miss City's two matches before the international break, away at Cardiff and at home to Hull.

And it means manager Manuel Pellegrini could be down to one senior central defender, Joleon Lescott, for Sunday's trip to South Wales as he waits to discover if Matija Nastasic is fit to return.

"I would prefer the doctor say the last word how many weeks Vincent Kompany is [out] injured I think at least one month," Pellegrini said.

But the Chilean refused to say whether he will re-enter the transfer market to sign another centre-back.

City lost Kolo Toure in the summer while Micah Richards, another option at the back, is sidelined by a hamstring injury and Nastasic suffered an ankle problem in pre-season.

Pellegrini is interested in Real Madrid's Portugal international Pepe while they have been linked with Martin Demichelis, who played for him at Malaga.

However, he said: "It is not dependent on what happens with Vincent Kompany. Until the last day [of the transfer window] we will see what we can do, if we can improve our squad or not, but we have a very good squad so we will see what happens."

Serbian defender Nastasic has returned to training but Pellegrini is not sure if he will be available to play at the Cardiff City Stadium, with midfielder Javi Garcia the likely deputy.

"Nastasic is working normally with the squad and we will see if he starts," he added.

Richards could be available for Hull's visit to the City of Manchester Stadium. "Micah Richards may be without a problem next week," Pellegrini confirmed.

The City manager also hopes summer signing Stevan Jovetic will be available to make his debut after missing the Newcastle game with a tight hamstring.

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