STERLING CRISIS

Q: Will he be out for weeks or months? A: Pep: I don’t know

PEP GUARDIOLA admits he has no idea how long Raheem Sterling will be sidelined for – dealing Gareth Southgate another injury blow to his Euro 2020 plans. Southgate has already seen Harry Kane (hamstring) and Marcus Rashford (back) break down with serious long-term injuries that threaten to wipe out their seasons. And with hamstring victim Sterling now also facing a spell out, it means England’s celebrated attacking trio are crocked just over four months before the finals begin in June. When asked if Sterling, who sustained the injury in the 2-0 loss at Spurs, could be out for weeks or months, Manchester City boss Guardiola (left) said: “I don’t know. It’s

a hamstring injury and we will see. Of course it takes weeks. I don’t know right now.”

The news is also a huge setback for Guardiola ahead of a run of games that promise to make or break City’s season.

They take on top-four rivals Leicester on February 22, following the international break, and Real Madrid in the Champions League last-16, first leg four days later.

Sterling is expected to miss both games and is struggling to be fit for the Carabao Cup final against Aston Villa.

Guardiola added: “It’s a problem. But one we had with Ilkay Gundogan being out for six months in the first year and Aymeric Laporte this season being out for four or five months.”

City striker Sergio Aguero has broken the record for the most

Premier League Player of the Month awards. He picked up the prize for the seventh time for January.