Man City receive David Silva boost in Champions League chase with Liverpool and Man Utd

MANCHESTER CITY have received a major boost in their attempts to qualify for the Champions League with the news that David Silva did not suffer a fracture from an elbow by West Ham's Cheikhou Kouyate.

10:34, Mon, Apr 20, 2015 | UPDATED: 11:09, Mon, Apr 20, 2015

Allardyce defends Kouyate after Silva clash [AMBIENT]

The Spaniard was caught by Kouyate's elbow and received treatment on the pitch for eight minutes before being taken off wearing an oxygen mask.

It was initially feared the 29-year-old had sustained cheek and collarbone injuries.

But hours after the game, Silva tweeted: “Many thanks to all the messages of support, all the tests have gone well and I'm already home.”

And City have now confirmed that hospital tests showed no fracture but the attacking midfielder will need to be monitored.

In his post-match press conference, City boss Manuel Pellegrini said: “I hope that it was an accidental collision.

David Silva AP

David Silva is stretchered off the pitch

“I always think that a player doesn’t want to damage another player.

“The referee was very near. He decides what happens, he didn’t think it was intentional.”

Hammers’ boss Sam Allardyce denied Kouyate’s action was premeditated, saying: “It was accidental. It was innocuous. I didn’t think it was a foul. I’ve just had a look at the replay now. It wasn’t deliberate at all.”