MX23RW : Monday, January 18 13:11:28| >> :60:473:473:

Man City without Sergio Aguero for Brighton visit

Man City without Sergio Aguero for Brighton visit
© Reuters
The 32-year-old has not started a game since October.

Sergio Aguero is not available for Manchester City's Premier League clash with Brighton on Wednesday, manager Pep Guardiola has confirmed.

The Argentina striker missed Sunday's FA Cup third-round victory over Birmingham after being asked to isolate as a close contact of someone who has tested positive for Covid-19.

It is yet another setback for the striker, whose return from knee surgery this season has already been complicated by further pain in the joint and a hamstring injury.

Guardiola has had to make do without Aguero for most of the season due to fitness issues
Guardiola has had to make do without Aguero for most of the season due to fitness issues (Paul Childs/PA)

The 32-year-old, who has not started a game since October, had been expected to feature last weekend.

Asked about Aguero at a press conference, Guardiola said: "Quarantine, isolated – the rules. After nine or 10 days he will be back."

Guardiola added that forward Raheem Sterling, who also missed the 3-0 victory over Championship Birmingham, was fit but defenders Nathan Ake and Aymeric Laporte were injured. Eric Garcia is still isolating following a positive test for Covid-19.

The visit of Brighton is the first of three home games for City in the space of a week. Victories could pull City firmly in the title picture but Guardiola is not looking beyond Wednesday's game.

Graham Potter's Brighton are the next visitors to the Etihad Stadium
Graham Potter's Brighton are the next visitors to the Etihad Stadium (Nick Potts/PA)

"All I am concerned about is Brighton," he said. "The rest, not even second in my thoughts."

City are unbeaten in their last 13 matches in all competitions and have won their last six as they build momentum, but Guardiola is wary of the threat of Brighton.

Guardiola said: "They are a joy to watch and analyse. When you see them, you are concerned about the quality.

"I said to the players we will have to be at a high standard to compete against them."

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How you voted: Man City vs Brighton

Manchester City
88.9%
Draw
5.9%
Brighton & Hove Albion
5.2%
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Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Manchester UnitedMan Utd18114334241037
2Manchester CityMan City17105229131635
3Leicester CityLeicester18112533211235
4Liverpool1897237211634
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs1896333171633
6Everton1710252821732
7Chelsea1885533211229
8Southampton188552621529
9West Ham UnitedWest Ham188552521429
10Aston Villa1582529161326
11Arsenal187382019124
12Leeds UnitedLeeds187293034-423
13Crystal Palace196582233-1123
14Wolverhampton WanderersWolves196492129-822
15Newcastle UnitedNewcastle175481827-919
16Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton193882229-717
17Burnley17449922-1316
18Fulham172691425-1112
19West Bromwich AlbionWest Brom1825111441-2711
20Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd1912161032-225

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