Man City star Oscar Bobb set to undergo operation on fractured leg injury suffered in training - with Pep Guardiola's side hopeful the winger will return before Christmas

Oscar Bobb is flying to Barcelona for an operation on a fractured leg - and could return for Manchester City before Christmas.

City’s preparations for the new season took a severe blow when Bobb suffered the training ground injury to his fibula on Wednesday.

The 21-year-old will go under the knife on Friday when he visits Ramon Cugat’s clinic in Catalonia before beginning his rehabilitation process.

City sources were heartened that it was deemed a 'clean break' and therefore can be easily operated on. Mail Sport understands he is facing between three and four months on the sidelines if there are no complications during the recovery.

Bobb is expected to remain in Barcelona for around a week and will then undergo work back in Manchester.

The Norwegian had been a standout performer of City’s pre-season and was likely to start the Premier League opener at Chelsea this weekend.

Bobb was named player of the match at Saturday’s Community Shield victory over Manchester United and had looked ready to stake a claim for a regular spot on Pep Guardiola’s right wing.

City are deliberating their next moves in the transfer market, mindful that Bernardo Silva, Phil Foden and Savinho are all still options in that area of the pitch.

Meanwhile, Kalvin Phillips - a £42million signing from Leeds United two years ago - is putting the finishing touches to a loan move to Ipswich Town.