MANCHESTER, England (AP) — Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola allayed fears that record scorer Sergio Aguero might have sustained a setback in his recovery from a knee injury.
The Argentina striker underwent surgery in the summer and his return to action has already been complicated by a hamstring injury.
After coming on as a late substitute in City's 1-0 win at Olympiakos in the Champions League on Wednesday, Aguero didn't make the matchday squad for the 5-0 win over Burnley in the English Premier League on Saturday.
Guardiola said Aguero had “just a reaction on the knee” and was hopeful the latest problem was not serious.
“With Sergio, it is how he wakes up," Guardiola said. "He makes good training sessions, but then has niggles in his knee.
“We know the injury he had is not easy for the recovery — we have to handle it as well as possible. When he is ready, he will play. Hopefully tomorrow he can come back to training.”
Guardiola previously said Aguero found the last few days difficult following the death of Diego Maradona.
Aguero was once married to Maradona’s daughter, Giannina, and she is the mother of his son, Benjamin. Aguero also played under Maradona during his time as coach of the national team, including at the 2010 World Cup.
Aguero appeared as a late substitute in City’s Champions League win over Olympiakos on Wednesday.
“The impact on the day of the game against Olympiakos was hard, especially for his son," Guardiola said on Friday. "Of course it was tough, that’s normal. He knew Maradona quite well and, for his son, he was his grandfather.
“It is a sad situation, unfortunately, for his family but he’s OK.”
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