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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
1Arsenal35255585285780
2Manchester CityMan City34247382325079
3Liverpool35229477364175
4Aston Villa35207873522167
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs33186967521560
6Manchester UnitedMan Utd34166125251154
7Newcastle UnitedNewcastle341651374551953
8West Ham UnitedWest Ham351310125665-949
9Chelsea33139116359448
10Bournemouth35139135260-848
11Wolverhampton WanderersWolves35137154855-746
12Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton341111125257-544
13Fulham35127165155-443
14Crystal Palace351010154557-1240
15Everton35128153748-1136
16Brentford3598185260-835
17Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest3579194262-2026
18Luton TownLuton3567224877-2925
19Burnley3559213870-3224
RSheffield UnitedSheff Utd3537253497-6316


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