Pep Guardiola says Sergio Aguero rested against Bournemouth on doctor's advice

'If he plays, maybe it's four or five weeks off. In that situation, this month, with a lot of games, he was not safe

epa07193888 Sergio Aguero of Manchester City celebrates scoring  during the UEFA Champions League Group F soccer match between Olympique Lyon and Mancherster City, in Decines-Charpieu near Lyon, France, 27 November 2018.  EPA/GUILLAUME HORCAJUELO
Powered by automated translation

Pep Guardiola has revealed club doctors warned him top scorer Sergio Aguero could be ruled out until January if he aggravated a muscle injury during Manchester City's weekend win against Bournemouth.

The Argentina international sat out the 3-1 win at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday and looks doubtful for this week's Premier League games against Watford and Chelsea.

In what is a busy December for City, Guardiola's men also face Hoffenheim in the Uefa Champions League, followed by by league games against Everton, Crystal Palace, Leicester City and Southampton. There is also a League Cup quarter-final against Leicester City on December 18.

"The doctors told me [on Friday] Sergio cannot play," Guardiola said. "If he plays, maybe it's four or five weeks off. In that situation, this month, with a lot of games, he was not safe."

City's all-time top scorer appears unlikely to make the trip to Vicarage Road on Tuesday or Stamford Bridge on Saturday.

"Right now, I'm not quite sure," Guardiola said when asked about the availability of Aguero, whose eight Premier League goals this term sees him sit two behind top scorer Piere-Emerick Aubameyang of Arsenal.

"I speak with the doctors every day, they make a report and a briefing," Guardiola added. "They say 'ready' or 'not ready' and we decide."

_____________

Read more:

Richard Jolly: Raheem Sterling continues to bully Bournemouth as Manchester City collect win at home

Arsenal's Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang leads from the front: Premier League team of the week

_____________

Gabriel Jesus started against Bournemouth in Aguero's absence but was unable to add to his single league goal so far this season for the Premier League pacesetters.

Aguero's form has limited Jesus' playing time recently but the 21-year-old Brazilian said he was ready to contribute if needed following his own injury concerns, which saw him miss last week's Champions League win over Lyon. Aguero's late equaliser in a 2-2 draw against the French club ensured City secured their place in the last 16 of Europe's premier competition.

"I've been training really hard, maybe that's why I felt something in my groin last week," Jesus said. "Unfortunately I was out of the Champions League match that I really wanted to play.

"I always make it clear for Pep that I'm here to help the team regardless of how. Obviously that I want to play more minutes, but I respect who is playing at the moment."

Guardiola praised Jesus's all-round contribution against Bournemouth and said he had no concerns over the lack of league goals.

"We just relax," Guardiola said. "It's work, this work ethic he has. Always I said to him when you work like he works on the pitch, always we will sustain him. We will always be there."