Manager’s warning to fragile striker

MANCHESTER CITY will assess Sergio Aguero today after he limped off against Southampton after 64 minutes of their 3-1 victory against Southampton.

The striker, only recently back from a seven-week injury lay-off, appeared to land awkwardly on his ankle after challenging Shane Long in the air and Manuel Pellegrini also reported he received a kick on the heel in the duel.

The City boss was already planning to take Aguero off and had Wilfried Bony warmed up and ready to come on when the striker suffered his blow.

He will miss the midweek Capital One Cup tie against Hull City but with Joe Hart, Eliaquim Mangala and Vincent Kompany also out, City will be desperate he is alright for their next League match at Stoke on Saturday. Pellegrini said: ‘Sergio has a pain in his heel. We will see tomorrow but I hope it is nothing important.

‘It is important to see with the medical staff and decide the next starting XI.

‘I spoke with him before the game and he was not going to play more than 65 minutes because he has already played three games in a row. In the last play he received a kick in his heel.

Pellegrini suggested Aguero needs a rest anyway. ‘We will see,’ he added. ‘Not because he had a kick in his heel or because he went out in minute 65, but because he has played already three games in a row.’

Pellegrini has told Aguero he has to look after his body this season.

The 27-year-old has scored nine goals so far despite missing five of the club’s 14 Premier League games.

The City boss added: ‘We had won just one point from the last six in the Premier League so it was important to win against a difficult team.’