MX23RW : Wednesday, April 10 07:21:24| >> :600:399426:399426:
Apr 6, 2019 at 5.30pm UK at ​Etihad Stadium
Attendance: 71,521
Man CityManchester City
1-0
BrightonBrighton & Hove Albion
Jesus (4')
FT(HT: 1-0)

Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero pushing for FA Cup semi-final start

Sergio Aguero pushing for FA Cup semi-final start
© Reuters
City are still targeting a quadruple.

Manchester City are hopeful top scorer Sergio Aguero will be fit to face Brighton in Saturday's FA Cup semi-final at Wembley.

The Argentinian striker missed the champions' midweek Premier League victory over Cardiff after suffering a muscle injury in last week's win at Fulham.

The problem is not believed to be overly serious but quadruple-chasing City will also have to consider the risks with another crucial game, a Champions League quarter-final at Tottenham, coming up on Tuesday.

Sergio Aguero's goal at Swansea helped Manchester City reach this stage
Sergio Aguero's goal at Swansea helped Manchester City reach this stage (Nick Potts/PA)

Manager Pep Guardiola said at his pre-match press conference on Friday: "He is almost fit. He's travelling."

City will have to make an enforced change at left-back with Oleksandr Zinchenko out for around 10 days with a hamstring injury.

There has been speculation that could mean a recall for £49.1million man Benjamin Mendy, but Guardiola was non-committal when asked about a player who appears to be out of favour.

Mendy has recovered from the knee injury that has sidelined him for most of the past five months but his off-field lifestyle has raised questions over his status.

Benjamin Mendy, right, has been sidelined for long spells of the season
Benjamin Mendy, right, has been sidelined for long spells of the season (Martin Rickett/PA)

The 24-year-old was disciplined earlier this season for reporting late for training after attending a high-profile boxing event in London the previous night, while he was also spotted in a nightclub in the early hours of last Saturday morning.

Asked if he had decided who would play at left-back, Guardiola said: "I've almost decided but of course I can't (tell you)."

On Mendy specifically, he said: "Everybody has to help us, not just Mendy. Mendy alone cannot help us arrive in the end of April with the challenge of winning something more. But of course it's incredibly good news for us that he has trained in the last week or 10 days without any problems."

Fabian Delph is still out but there are alternatives to Mendy as Danilo and Aymeric Laporte have both played in the position this season.

Aymeric Laporte has filled in at left-back on occasion this season
Aymeric Laporte has filled in at left-back on occasion this season (Nick Potts/PA)

Guardiola has fielded strong sides throughout City's run to the last four and the prospect of reaching the final holds huge appeal to him.

"When I was young in Catalonia it was usual to see the final of the FA Cup more than the league games," he said. "There's the tradition in old Wembley, both managers going in front of the players and it is the oldest trophy.

"I have never been there and I cannot deny how nice it would be personally, for the players and the club. We've won it five times, it's not too many in the history. We have a challenge to get another one."

City forward Raheem Sterling has arranged for 500 children from his old school near Wembley to attend the match.

Guardiola said: "It's an incredible gesture. I think this kind of gesture makes a better society for everyone.

"Football players are human beings, we all live together. This kind of gesture dignifies who he is, the club and everybody. I like it.


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A general shot of a Premier League football ahead of the Premier League clash between Everton and West Ham United at Goodison Park on October 30, 2016
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Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool33257175205582
2Manchester CityMan City32262483216280
3Chelsea33206757342366
4Tottenham HotspurSpurs322111060342664
5Arsenal32196765402563
6Manchester UnitedMan Utd32187761431861
7Leicester CityLeicester33145144644247
8Wolverhampton WanderersWolves32138114039147
9Everton33137134642446
10Watford32137124747046
11West Ham UnitedWest Ham33126154150-942
12Crystal Palace33116163943-439
13Bournemouth33115174461-1738
14Burnley33106174060-2036
15Newcastle UnitedNewcastle3398163143-1235
16Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton3196163246-1433
17Southampton3289153653-1733
18Cardiff CityCardiff3284202861-3328
RFulham3345243076-4617
RHuddersfield TownHuddersfield3335251963-4414

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