Pep backs Aguero to be ready for Europe

PEP GUARDIOLA has given his clearest indication yet that Sergio Aguero can offer Manchester City a Champions League boost should they progress past Real Madrid. Aguero is working overtime to prove he can feature after suffering a knee injury in the victory over Burnley last month. A return for the last-16 second leg against Real Madrid in a fortnight has been considered a long shot, although there is hope he can play a part should City progress to the mini-tournament in Lisbon. The Argentine is undergoing rehabilitation on his left knee three times a day, and hopes to start running in the coming days. ‘I think everyone will be fit against Madrid,’ the manager said. ‘Barring a disaster in training, everyone will be fit.’ The City boss tempered expectations by adding: ‘Sergio is in Barcelona and doing his rehab. Real Madrid is in two weeks. Hopefully he can come back for Real, but I don’t think there is time.’ Counting on Aguero from the bench would serve as a major boost to City, who head into the clash against Real with a one-goal lead from the Bernabeu in February. Guardiola could see his team become only the fifth in Premier League history to score 100 goals in a season. They end the campaign against already-relegated Norwich City tomorrow. City — who currently have 97 goals — have twice reached the landmark before. ‘It’s nice to score goals, but it’s not been enough this year,’ Guardiola added. ‘A lot of goals but we are 18 points behind Liverpool. Every game there has to be a target, a desire to win the game and scoring 100 goals is one of the reasons why.’