City lose aguero for one month

Manchester City's Premier League title challenge
was dealt a setback on Monday when manager
Manuel Pellegrini announced that Sergio Aguero
will be out for "at least one month" through
injury.
The 25-year-old Argentina striker has been in
stunning form of late, scoring 12 goals in his last
11 games to take the 2012 champions to within
three points of league leaders Arsenal.
However, after opening the scoring in Saturday's
6-3 victory over Arsenal at the Etihad Stadium,
he had to come off in the 49th minute with a
calf problem.
"I think he will be at least one month out,"
Pellegrini told a press conference, ahead of
City's League Cup quarterfinal tie at second-tier
Leicester City on Tuesday.
"He has a calf injury. Maybe the doctor can say
exactly how many weeks he will be."
Aguero verified the news on Twitter, but
expressed optimism ahead of the rehabilitation
process.
"It's confirmed – my calf injury will leave me out
for at least a month," he said.
"The good news is recovery work starts today.
We started with therapeutic massages on the
area and some bike work. I'll keep you posted.
Thanks for the support."
Aguero's injury arrives at an inopportune time
for City, who face Fulham, title rivals Liverpool
and Crystal Palace over the busy festive period.
Aguero also stands to miss league games against
Swansea City and Newcastle United, as well as a
trip to Blackburn Rovers in the FA Cup third
round on January 4.
The former Atletico Madrid player has been key
to City's impressive early-season goalscoring
form, striking up a partnership with new signing
Alvaro Negredo that has seen the two players
plunder 32 goals between them in all
competitions.
Pellegrini is likely to turn to either Edin Dzeko or
Stevan Jovetic to deputise in Aguero's absence,
although he could elect to field an extra
attacking midfielder and deploy Negredo as a
lone striker.
Jovetic recently returned to action following a
calf injury, but defenders Micah Richards and
Matija Nastasic will miss the trip to Leicester due
to respective hamstring and calf problems.
"The players that are injured are Micah Richards
– he continues to be injured – and Nastasic also,
and Aguero," Pellegrini said.