LOCAL football product Carlo Nash is philosophical about the fact he will miss Monday's derby clash with Burnley.

The Manchester City goalkeeper, who started out in non-League football with Rossendale United and Clitheroe, was injured in the the Sky Blues 2-0 defeat at Norwich last weekend and facing a long lay-off.

At first it was thought Nash had broken his ribs, but the initial diagnosis was incorrect as Nash revealed.

"At first they thought it was my ribs, but it is actually my kidneys," said Nash. "While I'm glad it wasn't broken ribs, I am still facing two weeks of complete rest.

"After that it will be like a mini pre-season for me because really I will be starting over again.

"if you have a couple of days out you notice it, so after two weeks total inactivity it is going to take time to get back."

Nicky Weaver was to return to the City first team for today's clash against Crewe and Nash found it as galling he had lost the first team slot as he did missing the clash with the Clarets.

"There is never a good time to be injured, but having won the first team place and feeling that I was doing alright, it is a really bad time for this to happen," said Nash, whose route to Maine Road was via spells at Crystal Palace and Stockport County.

"I would have loved to have been involved against Burnley too.

"My parents live close to the town, I have a lot of friends who support Burnley and I know a lot of the Burnley players. "Unfortunately these things happen and you just can't do anything about it."

The trip to Turf Moor is a crucial one for new City boss Kevin Keegan whose side are expected to be among the front-runners in Division One this term.

And Nash admitted that the expectations of the new regime were high.

"The gaffer has brought a few new faces in and changed the way we change, so it is different," explained Nash.

"But I am really enjoying it and everyone is aiming to get back into the Premiership, so we need a good result on Monday.

"I can't say that I personally feel the pressure too much, but City is a big club and high expectations of us is just part of the job. It is why you join a big club."

Former England manager Keegan comes to Turf Moor on Monday begging not to be judged too soon.

"It has been a strange start to the season for a lot of clubs and I would put us in that category," he said, as his side followed a convincing performance in beating Watford by their poor defeat by the Canaries.

"I am not making excuses but it will level out after six our eight games and early season form has to be taken with a pinch of salt.

"I won't be looking at the table for six to eight weeks, though I know the fans look at it each week."

The City boss has other injury problems to worry about.

Alongside Nash on the long-term treatment table are midfielders Jeff Whitley, who is out for two months with a broken ankle, and former Blackburn Rovers player Eyal Berkovic, who is out for six weeks with a hamstring strain.