Roberto De Zerbi fears he could lose Solly March for “a long time” after he was stretchered off at the Etihad.

The wideman, playing at left-back today, suffered a knee injury as he twisted late in Albion’s 2-1 defeat at Manchester City.

Danny Welbeck also left the action, limping off early on.

Head coach De Zerbi said: “This is the worst thing today.

“I think we can lose Solly March for a long time and Welbeck I don’t know - it’s a muscular problem.

“This season is different. “We are losing too many players.

“We play against Ajax (on Thursday) a crucial game without Estupinan, Lamptey, March, Welbeck I think, Julio Enciso.”

De Zerbi expects more information on March tomorrow or on Monday.

He was unwilling to speculate on the possible extent of the injury but added: "I know he can't play on Thursday."