Bridge faces month’s lay-off

 MANCHESTER City full–back Wayne Bridge is set to be sidelined for around a month after undergoing a hernia operation yesterday.

The 29–year–old was forced off after aggravating the long–standing injury in the first half of City’s 1–1 draw at Sunderland on Sunday and will now miss a crucial phase of the season. Bridge had only recently returned to first–team action for Roberto Mancini’s side after missing 13 games with a knee injury.

Yesterday’s operation, which was announced on City’s official website, is set to rule Bridge out of league games against Fulham, Everton, Wigan, Burnley and Birmingham, although he could return in time to feature against city rivals Manchester United on April 17.