ROBERTO MANCINI has confirmed that Sergio Aguero should be out for less than a month due to the knee injury he sustained in Manchester City’s 3-2 win over Southampton on Sunday. The manager is hopeful the striker will be back for City’s game with Stoke on September 15th.
“I don’t think Sergio will be out for long and we are hoping he will be back after the international break which is obviously fantastic news for him and for us,” said Mancini. “We were very worried a couple of days ago because we feared he could be out for six months or maybe even more which would have been very bad news. It looked like a very strange injury at the time and because it was his knee, we were obviously very concerned so this news is a relief for everybody.”
On Tuesday, Aguero tweeted: “Thank you all for your concern. I’m better but still resting with an ice pack on the swollen area. And very eager to start recovery physio tomorrow!” The loss of the Argentinian is still a blow as he will definitely miss Sunday’s game at Liverpool plus the visit of Queens Park Rangers the following Saturday.
Mancini was also encouraged by the progress of Gareth Barry, who has an abdominal muscle problem and trained yesterday, and Micah Richards, who has an ankle problem.
“Gareth will also be ready after the international break,” said the Italian. “He hasn’t played any games for almost four months and he needs to build his fitness up, but he is training again and I don’t see him being out for any longer than one month and hopefully, maybe just a couple of weeks.
“Micah’s injury is more serious and he could be out a little longer, but having said that, with rest and the right treatment, we are hopeful he could be ready in about one month, which again would be great news.”
City will be looking to press their advantage over Manchester United, who lost their opening game 1-0 at Everton on Monday evening.
Danny Welbeck has signed a new four-year deal at the club, providing a boost to the striker following the arrival of Robin van Persie, who threatens his starting place.
Alex Ferguson said: “Danny has been with the club since he was eight years old and has made fantastic progress in the last couple of years – first out on loan and last year as a regular in the first team. He has become an important player at international level as well, as the maturity of his performances at the European Championship showed. This year is another important one for him.”
Welbeck, who started United’s 1-0 defeat at Everton on Monday, said: “Playing for United is all I’ve ever wanted to do – it’s the club I’ve supported all my life. I can’t wait for the challenge of the new season to play my part in helping the team compete for trophies”
