Mark Hughes is facing a striker crisis ahead of the eagerly-anticipated Manchester derby on Sunday after it was confirmed Carlos Tevez looks certain to miss out on a return to Old Trafford.

Tevez is eager to line up against Manchester United after leaving the Premier League champions this summer to join big-spending City in a £25.5million deal.

But the 25-year-old striker injured a knee during Argentina's 3-1 loss to Brazil in a World Cup qualifier last week, making him a serious doubt for this weekend's clash.

The initial prognosis from the Argentina medical staff was that 'El Apache' would be sidelined for at least three weeks and City's assistant boss Mark Bowen admits Tevez is unlikely to face his former club.

"He is back here today (Tuesday) and we'll assess it from there, but he is very doubtful," Bowen told the club's official website.

"What we are hearing is that it's probably going to keep him out, but until the doctor assesses him hands-on we don't really know.

With Brazilian ace Robinho already ruled out with a stress fracture to his ankle and Emmanuel Adebayor set to receive a suspension for his alleged stamp on Robin van Persie, Craig Bellamy will be forced to lead City's attack.