Tuesday 20 December 2016 12:57, UK
Manchester City defender Pablo Zabaleta is eyeing a return to action against Liverpool on New Year's Eve after being forced off at half-time against Arsenal on Sunday.
The Argentinian international was taken off by manager Pep Guardiola after 45 minutes on Nissan Super Sunday when picking up a knee injury earlier in the game.
However, Zabaleta - who has made 17 appearances for City this season - is hopeful to be back to full fitness in time for his side's trip to Anfield later this month.
"Hopefully it is not too bad," he said. "Maybe I can have an injection in there and be ready in, I don't know, maybe 10 days. We'll see."
"I felt it straight away after 15 minutes and I just tried to finish the first half.
"I was with some pain in the ligament and it was a risk to continue playing, possibly make it worse, and that's why I came off."
City have enjoyed back-to-back victories against Watford and Arsenal in the Premier League and the 31-year-old defender is confident his team can challenge leaders Chelsea come May.
"We know they [Chelsea] are on a run of games and a real solid team at the moment, but of course we are not going to give up," added Zabaleta. "We have confidence and we have belief."
"There's a long way to go until the end of the season.
"We showed in the last two games that playing that way we are one of those teams that can fight for the title for sure."
