Manchester City were forced to make an early change during the Premier League clash with Tottenham after their signing limped off with an ankle injury
Manchester City have suffered an injury setback with new recruit Rayan Ait-Nouri forced to leave the pitch early during their Premier League match against Tottenham.
The left-back seemed to twist his ankle while blocking a pass 15 minutes into the game, receiving on-pitch treatment as City's medical team evaluated the problem.
Despite initially continuing, City had Nathan Ake warming up and a staff member was seen putting him through his paces.
Ait-Nouri had to make a recovery run when Tottenham attempted to send Mohammed Kudus down his flank, and shortly after, he dropped to his haunches, prompting Ake to be called back.
City instructed Ait-Nouri to go down to allow them to make the substitution, with Ake stepping in at left-back.
The loss of Ait-Nouri is a significant blow so early in his City career following a £31million transfer from Wolves, reports the Manchester Evening News.
The Algerian made a strong impression at the Club World Cup and had a quiet game against his former club Wolves last week. He was City's first major left-back signing in eight years.
Josko Gvardiol and Nico O'Reilly shared responsibilities last season, but Gvardiol is still injured, and O'Reilly has been deployed as a midfielder this season.
City were below par for the opening half, with fellow summer recruit James Trafford's howler gifting Spurs their second goal of the afternoon.
It had been all City until Brennan Johnson swept home, rounding off a Spurs counter attack. Richarlison had been ruled as offside, but VAR overruled the call.
The Premier League's Match Centre said: "VAR checked the referee’s call of no goal for Tottenham Hotspur - and established that Richarlison was in an onside position in the build-up and recommended that the goal was awarded."