No Aguero for City as Pep avoids Porto controversy

MANCHESTER City will again be without record goalscorer Sergio Aguero for this weekend’s Premier League clash with Fulham.

Aguero has missed City’s last two games after suffering discomfort in his knee and, despite returning to training, the club are unwilling to take risks with his fitness.

The 32-year-old had a knee operation in the summer and his comeback this season has already been complicated by a hamstring injury.

Asked if he was in contention for today’s game at the Etihad Stadium, Guardiola said: “No. He is getting better. Today he was part of the training, that is the good news. He is already on the pitch with us.”

Guardiola was unwilling to discuss this week’s latest controversy involving Porto following the Champions League meeting between the clubs on Tuesday.

City claimed the point they needed to top Group C with a goalless draw at the Estadio do Dragao but the game has been overshadowed by more inflammatory post-match comments from the Portuguese club.

Porto boss Sergio Conceicao said he would have been “upset” not to have won “with the team and the budget” of his opposite number.

An official newsletter from the club then criticised the character of Guardiola and City players Fernandinho and Bernardo Silva.

But with a City official having already issued a general comment on the matter, Guardiola felt it best to leave it there.

“I’m focused on Fulham,” he said.

Gareth Southgate