Sergio Aguero is a quick healer. So quick, in fact, that he might return from a torn knee ligament just six weeks after suffering the injury.
The timeline was given by Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini today, who said that the Argentine could be fit to face Arsenal as soon as January 18th.
Aguero suffered the injury on December 6th when he collided with Everton’s Muhamed Besic in the 3rd minute of City’s 1-0 victory. As soon as Aguero went down it looked bad as he winced in pain and remained still for several minutes. Eventually he hobbled off the pitch with tears in his eyes, a sad sight for the Premier League’s leading goal scorer.
Pellegrini spoke about Aguero’s progress, saying that the striker would be back well in advance of the first leg of the Champions League tie against Barcelona on February 24th. “Sergio has a torn ligament and I think it will be long before that tie, probably in the first weeks of January, that he will play,” said the Chilean.
With Edin Dzeko also out due to a calf injury, Stevan Jovetic could be the man to lead the line for City this weekend. The Montenegrin enjoyed some fine form early in the season before nagging injuries have prevented his contribution of late. Look for him to be the man to ease City’s striker burden for at least the next two games, at home to Crystal Palace on Saturday and at West Bromwich Albion on Boxing Day.
The club has long been rumored to be bringing in a new striker during the transfer window, with Pellegrini claiming he never truly replaced Alvaro Negredo, who left the club last summer. Rumored to be among the players who City might bid on are Swansea’s Wilfried Bony, West Brom’s Saido Berahino, Inter’s Mauro Icardi, Lyon’s Alexandre Lacazette and PSG’s Edinson Cavani.
One man who won’t be suiting up for the Citizens is Spanish ace David Villa, who is on the roster at sister-club New York City FC and currently on loan with Melbourne City in Australia. Speculation around Villa playing a role in City’s title run was squashed this week when it was confirmed he will report for duty in New York next month.
