City boss backs Jesus to fill the void left by injured Aguero

JUST as Pep Guardiola might have thought his personnel problems were easing with the return to training of Aymeric Laporte and Leroy Sane, the injury curse has struck again with Sergio Aguero ruled out of the Manchester derby. Aguero hobbled out of the victory over Chelsea at the weekend with a thigh injury and Guardiola yesterday confirmed he will miss the United game at the Etihad on December 7 — leaving Gabriel Jesus as the club’s only fit striker for tonight’s Champions League clash with Shakhtar Donetsk. It is a golden chance for the Brazilian, with Aguero set for a number of weeks on the sidelines. Jesus has scored five goals in eight starts this season and his manager has constantly referred to the 22-year-old as one of the best secondary strikers in world football. ‘I’m not happy that Gabriel doesn’t (normally) play, that’s not news,’ said Guardiola. ‘I understand that. But what’s important is the day after how he trains. He never missed or failed one training session in bad condition or bad behaviour. ‘That’s why when he says he wants to learn, he wants to work, it’s the truth and that’s the reality. He’s an incredible guy and I think they respect each other. It’s not easy. We will miss Sergio but in Gabriel we have a star in that position. When he arrived, his energy and his impact immediately seduced us. ‘My advice to him was that if you are not sure about that position, you don’t have to extend the contract, you can go other places. He said: “No, I want to stay here”. He has his future in his hands.’ Guardiola (below) has deployed Raheem Sterling as a central striker in the past — notably away at Chelsea last season — but appears ready to award Jesus a sustained run. It also opens the door to City’s young attackers to make an impression, with Ian Carlo Poveda and Adrian Bernabe already having made first-team debuts. Jayden Braaf, the 17-year-old Dutch winger, has also earned rave reviews from academy staff in recent months. Jesus has been vocal about a lack of playing time, although has always been at pains to stress that he is behind one of the finest frontmen in Europe. ‘Of course, I’m ready to play,’ Jesus said. ‘When I came to City, I knew it would be hard because they had Sergio. ‘I have a chance to play with Pep and top players at a big club, that’s why I came. I’ve learned a lot from Sergio. I want to improve my football. ‘Every day I want to improve, learn, train well and work hard. I think I have to do it all the time because I am in a big club with big players, big manager so I have to work and improve.’ Guardiola has both Rodri and David Silva available tonight and a draw takes City through to the last 16.