The 25-year-old suffered a knee injury while away on international duty with Argentina.
The injury will keep him out of action for two to three weeks.
“The Argentine medical people said it would be two or three weeks,” City boss Mark Hughes said.
“We think it might be less than that but he is a doubt for the derby next week.
“However, we will do everything in our power to get him fit because, for obvious reasons, he would love to play in that match.”
