Manchester City defender Micah Richards will miss the FA Cup semi-final showdown with fierce rivals Manchester United.
The 22-year-old full-back has been battling to overcome a hamstring injury in time for the April 16 meeting at Wembley Stadium, but he now looks set to miss from four to six weeks with the grade-two tear.
And a disappointed Richards told City’s official website:” It is not what I wanted to hear at all. I felt sick when I was told.
“I knew from experience when I did it that it felt like a bad one, but I was hoping for the best.
“All I can do now is concentrate on getting back as quickly as possible. I must admit I did think, 'why me?' for a while when I heard the news.
“Of all the games to miss, a Wembley date with United is the last one any player would choose.”
Richards’ absence will be a major blow to manager Roberto Mancini who also looks set to be without Jerome Boateng after he suffered a knee injury while on international duty with Germany.