Striker Craig Bellamy is unlikely to play for Manchester City for the rest of the season because of a knee injury. Bellamy has missed the last three games after the problem recurred in the 3-1 Uefa first-leg defeat at Hamburg.

He was also hindered by it on Welsh duty as captain in March and will be a doubt for the crucial World Cup qualifier in Azerbaijan on 6 June.

City boss Mark Hughes said: "Craig might get the last couple of games but the probability is that he won't."

It is a huge blow for the club as they push for seventh spot in the Premier League - they are currently 10th - and a place in the Europa League with five games remaining.

606: DEBATE

Disappointing he wont be in for the unlikely run in for 7th but if he has a good summers rest he might be 100% next season

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Hughes added that Bellamy would have to completely rest for two weeks before returning for strength work.

Since moving from West Ham in the January transfer window Bellamy has scored five goals in 10 starts before tearing a patella tendon in his knee in their league clash with the Hammers in March.

The improved fitness of Bulgarian Valeri Bojinov was some welcome news for City.

The forward is set for action for the reserves on Tuesday at Middlesbrough after snapping his Achilles tendon last August.

Winger Shaun Wright-Phillips is still struggling with ankle damage that has seen him miss the last three games, while Hughes added that a hamstring injury could rule Pablo Zabaleta out for a "number of games".