Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany was forced off injured after just 11 minutes against Newcastle on Wednesday.
The defender was making just his ninth Premier League appearance of the season, having struggled with a calf injury earlier in the campaign.
Kompany cut a frustrated figure as he was withdrawn to be replaced by striker Gabriel Jesus shortly after kick off against Newcastle, with the score goalless at the time.
"I don't know," said manager Pep Guardiola, when asked how serious Kompany's injury was after the game.
"Unfortunately he's injured again, like in the last three years, and we'll have to see how long it is."
The 31-year-old played the full 90 minutes of City's 4-0 win over Bournemouth on December 23, having not played in either of his side's previous two league games.
Those absences came after he was substituted at half-time in the Manchester derby at Old Trafford on December 10.
In November, Kompany told Sky Sports News his mindset is "stronger than anybody out there", despite his repeated injury battles.
The Belgium international made just 11 Premier League appearances last season.