Manchester City striker Andy Cole will be out of action for at least a month after sustaining a knee ligament injury in the 3-2 win over Charlton Athletic on Sunday.

The former England international damaged his left knee when he landed awkwardly in the second half of the Premier League match.

City are also waiting to hear about the extent of injuries suffered by Chinese defender Sun Jihai, who failed a fitness test on Sunday, and winger Trevor Sinclair.

"Cole is having an operation and we think he will be out for four to five weeks," manager Stuart Pearce said yesterday.

"Jihai is having a scan on his knee and Trevor will be in on Wednesday to have his cheekbone straightened but it won't be an operation. We're hopeful he will be able to play in a mask.

"With Trevor, I think it was a clash of heads."

City, ninth in the league, visit Aston Villa in the fifth round of the FA Cup on Sunday.