Santa Cruz set for month out injured

Manchester City striker Roque Santa Cruz is set to be out of action for a month after his latest comeback lasted just four minutes.

The Paraguayan’s return from a calf injury during Saturday’s 2-0 defeat by Everton – City’s first loss under manager Roberto Mancini – was a short-lived affair as he suffered a recurrence of the same problem that caused him to miss three matches over the Christmas period.

Santa Cruz, signed for 18 million pounds in pre-season by former City boss Mark Hughes from the Welshman’s old club, Blackburn Rovers, is not expected to need surgery.

But if City’s initial assessment is correct, Santa Cruz will miss both legs of the League Cup semi-final with Manchester United, Sunday’s FA Cup fourth round tie at Scunthorpe and the Blues’ next three Premier League matches.

With Emmanuel Adebayor on indefinite compassionate leave following the gun attack on the Togo team bus at the African Nations Cup in Angola, Mancini could recall Benjani Mwaruwari up front for the first leg against United at Eastlands on Tuesday.

Meanwhile Mancini is set to go into the latest Manchester derby without new signing Patrick Vieira.

The France midfielder, and former Arsenal captain, has been unavailable since joining from Inter Milan after suffering a calf injury in his final match for the Italian giants.

“It is better for us, and for him, that he can go and be ready in a week or 10 days,” Mancini said.

“It is better that we do not take risks in this situation. I would like it that when Patrick does come back he can play until the end of the season,” the Italian added.