Mark Hughes, the Manchester City manager, is facing a major striker crisis ahead of their Barclays Premier League opener with Aston Villa on August 17.

Hughes already knew he will be without Jo, his new £19 million signing, because he will be on Olympic duty with Brazil, but he has suffered a further setback after Benjani Mwaruwari ruptured a thigh muscle in training. The 29-year-old Zimbabwe international could now be out for the remainder of the club's pre-season and is not expected to be fit in time for the start of the new season.

Hughes, whose team must come through the Uefa Cup qualifying rounds which begin in August, has allowed Georgios Samaras to jojn Celtic and both Emile Mpenza and Paul Dickov have been released this summer. City will be left with Darius Vassell, Ched Evans and Daniel Sturridge, who has been away with the England Under-19 squad at the European Championships, to call upon unless Hughes ventures into the transfer market.

Bernardo Corradi and Rolando Bianchi are available for selection, but both players are expected to leave the club before the start of the season. Garry Cook, the club's executive chairman, is due to meet Hughes this weekend to discuss City's transfer plans following Ronaldinho's decision to turn down a move to Eastlands in favour of joining AC Milan.