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Sergio Aguero yet to return to training ahead of Porto clash

City's record goalscorer had knee surgery in the summer.

Sergio Aguero has not returned to training ahead of Manchester City's Champions League trip to Porto on Tuesday but manager Pep Guardiola maintains the problem is not serious.

City's record goalscorer missed Saturday's 5-0 thrashing of Burnley in the Premier League with what was described as a minor "disturbance" in his knee.

The striker underwent knee surgery in the summer and his comeback this season has already been complicated by a hamstring injury.

Aguero had a knee operation in June
Aguero had a knee operation in June (Martin Rickett/PA)

He returned as a late substitute in last Wednesday's victory over Olympiacos but City do not want to take undue risks with the 32-year-old.

He now seems unlikely to be involved as City, who are already qualified for the last 16, face Porto in their next Group C game.

Speaking at his pre-match press conference, Guardiola said: "I am not concerned. He did not train. He had a little disturbance in his knee. It is nothing serious but he didn't train."

City have won their first four games in the group and securing top spot is all that is riding on the remaining two fixtures.

Guardiola has said he intends to pick on form rather than rotate his squad
Guardiola has said he intends to pick on form rather than rotate his squad (Michael Regan/PA)

It could be an opportunity for Guardiola to rest players as he focuses on the Premier League but he insists he will not rotate his squad for the sake of it.

He said: "I am thinking about it. Some players are going to play who didn't play the previous game are going to play.

"There are a lot of games but I don't want them to feel this is rotation. Every game is played because the best players, for many circumstances, we believe are focused on a specific game."

City are hoping to maintain momentum after their impressive performance at the weekend.

Goalkeeper Ederson hopes City can build on their 5-0 defeat of Burnley
Goalkeeper Ederson hopes City can build on their 5-0 defeat of Burnley (Neil Hall/PA)

Goalkeeper Ederson said: "It was a good game from the whole team. We totally neutralised Burnley.

"We scored five and had a lot of chances to score more. Hopefully we can go in with the same mindset against Porto.

"We know it is going to be a very difficult game but we hope we can achieve the same momentum."

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Manchester City players celebrate Phil Foden's goal against Olympiacos in the Champions League on November 25, 2020
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TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
CManchester CityMan City38287396346291
2Arsenal38285591296289
3Liverpool382410486414582
4Aston Villa382081076611568
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs382061274611366
6Chelsea381891177631463
7Newcastle UnitedNewcastle381861485622360
8Manchester UnitedMan Utd38186145758-160
9West Ham UnitedWest Ham381410146074-1452
10Crystal Palace381310155758-149
11Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton381212145562-748
12Bournemouth38139165467-1348
13Fulham38138175561-647
14Wolverhampton WanderersWolves38137185065-1546
15Everton38139164051-1140
16Brentford38109195665-939
17Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest3899204967-1832
RLuton TownLuton3868245285-3326
RBurnley3859244178-3724
RSheffield UnitedSheff Utd38372835104-6916


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