Midfielder Bernardo Silva has claimed that Manchester City have not received the correct level of protection from referees in recent matches.

Leroy Sane sustained an ankle ligament injury after a challenge from Cardiff City's Joe Bennett last weekend, while on Wednesday night, West Bromwich Albion's Matt Phillips avoided a red card for a high tackle on Brahim Diaz.

Manager Pep Guardiola held heated discussions with the officials in both matches and Silva has backed his boss, suggesting that the referee and his assistants have failed to do their job by not dismissing either Bennett or Phillips.

After City's 3-0 win over the Baggies, Silva told reporters: "It's clear over the last few months - we've seen with Leroy it was a terrible accident and now he's injured for two months and he is a very important player.

"Today it could have been Brahim, it could have been Kevin on the second goal. I think, as the coach says, the referees have to do their job and if it's a red card they have to give the red card.

"They are not doing that over the last few months. We hope that soon they start protecting our players because, the way other teams are tackling our players, it's not part of the game. It's not fair play and they have to try to punish the players that play this way."

Sane is not due back until March, while City also have concerns over the fitness of David Silva after Wednesday's fixture.