Emotional Man City player leaves the pitch in 'terrible pain' during Nations League game

Manchester City look to have been hit with a devastating injury blow ahead of their return to action.

City defender Nathan Ake started for the Netherlands on Tuesday evening and had to be stretchered off in the first half of their clash with Germany in Amsterdam.

Ake was in serious discomfort towards the end of the half and had to sit down on the turf.

He was then attended to by the medics before being taken away on the stretcher.

Ake was in tears after suffering the huge setback, which appears to be a serious muscle injury.

The former Chelsea man was replaced by Arsenal's Jurrien Timber.

Josko Gvardiol appears to have nailed down the left-back berth under Pep Guardiola but with games coming thick and fast, the versatile Ake was almost definitely set to feature more prominently until his injury.

City, who have a perfect record in the Premier League so far, host Brentford at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday.

They then kick off this season's Champions League campaign with a replay of the 2023 final against Inter Milan before hosting Arsenal in a huge clash on 22 September.

Although he's played his part in four Premier League titles in a row, Ake has been plagued by injuries at City and never played more than 30 games a season in the league.

City fans will no doubt be hoping for the best for Ake and bemoaned the international break curse striking again.

One wrote: "Very unfortunate for Ake. Fortunately for us he was a back up this season so at least we still have our starting backline fit. Speed recovery Ake."

A second simply commented: "This is why I hate international football."

A third added: "When City get injuries, they are always bad ones."

A final user wrote: "International break strikes again."