Manchester City suffer Wayne Bridge injury blow

Manchester City defender Bridge was injured against Sunderland on Sunday

Manchester City defender Wayne Bridge will be out for about a month after undergoing a hernia operation.

The 29-year-old was forced off after 32 minutes of Sunday's 1-1 Premier League draw with Sunderland.

Bridge only returned to action against Hull on 6 February after missing 13 games because of a knee injury.

He ruled himself out of England duty after allegations of an affair between his former girlfriend Vanessa Perroncel and Chelsea captain John Terry.

That decision means the City player would not be available for this summer's World Cup, although England manager Fabio Capello has left the door open for Bridge, who played with Terry at Chelsea before leaving the London club for City in 2009, to change his mind.

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The former Chelsea team-mates met on the pitch when City visited Stamford Bridge on 27 February, with Bridge refusing to shake Terry's hand before the match.

Bridge will miss a crucial phase of the season, with the left-back set to sit out the games against Fulham, Everton, Wigan, Burnley and Birmingham.

He could return in time to take on rivals Manchester United on 17 April.