Villarreal CF will be without Nilmar for their back-to-back UEFA Champions League Group A encounters against Manchester City FC after the Brazilian international underwent surgery to treat a cyst in his right knee.

A regular starter in attack alongside Giuseppe Rossi, Nilmar – who has scored 23 goals in 68 Liga games for the Yellow Submarine since signing from SC Internacional in 2009 – faces a recovery time of seven weeks following a successful operation on the problematic meniscus.

The 27-year-old also faces a race against time to be fit for Villarreal's trip to FC Bayern München on 22 November. The news will come as a blow to coach Juan Carlos Garrido, whose side are bottom of Group A after defeats by Bayern and SSC Napoli and need to revive their campaign in Manchester on 18 October and against Roberto Mancini's team at El Madrigal on 2 November.