Mark Hughes insists Craig Bellamy making an early comeback for Manchester City in Europe is "unlikely."
The Wales captain has been out for almost three weeks after tearing a patella tendon in his knee in their Premier League game with West Ham.
It was hoped striker Bellamy may return for City in their UEFA Cup game against Aalborg in Denmark on Thursday.
Hughes admits: "It is unlikely Craig will be involved but we are more hopeful for the weekend."
Manchester City play Sunderland in the Premier League on Sunday and the Eastlands boss hopes he will return for that game.
Bellamy has been named in John Toshack's 26-man Wales squad to face Finland on 28 March and Germany on 1 April in a 2010 World Cup qualifying double-header in Cardiff.
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