Man City coach Pep Guardiola explains Sergio Aguero absence vs Birmingham

straight to your inboxIlkay Gundogan has emerged as Manchester City’s secret weapon as they power on without Sergio Aguero.The Blues have recently made light of the fact their all-time top goalscorer Aguero has hardly figured this season.And Germany international Gundogan, who normally plays in a deeper role, has flourished as a more advanced midfielder, scoring seven goals in the last eight Premier League games, including two in the 5-0 win at West Brom on Tuesday night.Pep Guardiola was not

straight to your inboxManchester City could go to the top of the Premier League with a win against West Brom on Tuesday, albeit temporarily, with rivals Manchester United in action on Wednesday.City will be without Kevin De Bruyne, Sergio Aguero, Nathan Ake and Kyle Walker for the trip to The Hawthorns this midweek, with Ruben Dias and John Stones set to start once again in the centre of City's defence.Bernardo Silva should drop into midfield alongside Ilkay Gundogan and Rodri, whilst Phil

straight to your inboxSergio Aguero is getting over his struggles with Covid-19 and Pep Guardiola believes he will bounce back to “make the difference” in Manchester City’s title challenge.The club’s all-time top goalscorer has “struggled” with fatigue after testing positive for the virus last week, ince when he has had to self-isolate at hom.But Guardiola said Aguero has told medical staff that he is fighting back – and confidently predicted he will bring his considerable influence to bear in

straight to your inboxPep Guardiola suggested Eric Garcia could leave Manchester City this month after resigning himself to losing the centre-back.Garcia stunned his club last summer when he informed them that he no longer saw a future for himself at the Etihad and wished instead to return to former club Barcelona.

straight to your inbox Kevin De Bruyne will be out for up to six weeks to hand Manchester City another blow to their Premier League title hopes. The Blues discovered yesterday that Sergio Aguero faces an undetermined spell out after testing positive for Covid-19.

straight to your inboxThe news that Sergio Aguero has tested positive for Covid-19 has given Manchester City boss another selection headache, who might have seen the FA Cup tie at Cheltenham as an ideal opportunity to bring the striker back.Aguero had been isolating having come into contact with a person who had tested positive for the virus, but was negative himself and might have been back for City's trip to the League Two minnows.

straight to your inboxSergio Aguero has confirmed he has tested positive for Covid-19. The Manchester City striker has missed City's last four fixtures after being forced to isolate having come into contact with someone who tested positive for the virus, despite initially testing negative himself.

straight to your inboxPep Guardiola was left hoping on Wednesday night that the injuries that forced Kyle Walker and Kevin De Bruyne off against Aston Villa will not be too serious.Manchester City continued their good form, winning their sixth straight league game and ninth in all competitions to reach the Premier League summit for the first time this season thanks to late goals from Bernardo Silva and Ilkay Gundogan.However, they had to make do without two of their starting XI for long spells.

direct to your inboxPep Guardiola called upon an answer he has used before when asked how he will spend his 50th birthday today.The Manchester City boss saw his side produce a professional performance mixed with moments of individual quality on Saturday to beat Crystal Palace 4-0 and move up to second in the Premier League with a game in hand over leaders Manchester United.United had earlier drawn 0-0 with Liverpool, allowing City to move above Liverpool and to within two points of United with a

straight to your inboxPep Guardiola could not rule out a January transfer for Eric Garcia but hopes that Manchester City will be able to keep hold of the player. Garcia stunned the Blues last year when he opted not to extend his contract at the Etihad and decided that he wanted to return to Barcelona.

straight to your inboxPep Guardiola queried how effective the new protocols for Covid-19 can be in preventing contact on the pitch after Manchester City's FA Cup win over Birmingham. With more regular testing introduced recently across clubs following outbreaks including Newcastle, City, and Fulham, the PFA this week reminded all players not to celebrate with teammates at goals or swap shirts at the end of games in a bid to reduce contact and keep infection rates down.

direct to your inboxGabriel Jesus and Kyle Walker start for Manchester City in their FA Cup third round tie against Birmingham, but Sergio Aguero is not in the squad. Pep Guardiola had suggested Sergio Aguero could makes his first start in over two months against the Championship side, having suffered a setback from his first return from injury in October.

straight to your inboxManchester City booked their place in the Carabao Cup final in midweek, but find themselves back in domestic cup action on Sunday, as they take on Birmingham City in the FA Cup Third Round.City are likely to field a rotated lineup against the Blues, with Sergio Aguero, Bernardo Silva, Gabriel Jesus, Nathan Ake, Taylor Harwood-Bellis and Benjamin Mendy all in contention to start on Sunday.However, Ferran Torres, Tommy Doyle, Eric Garcia, Scott Carson, Cole Palmer and Aymeric

straight to your inboxPep Guardiola has not seen Sergio Aguero in a better mood as the Manchester City striker continues to predict he will score plenty of goals this season.The club record scorer has bagged just two goals in all competitions and hasn't started a match since West Ham away in October when he had to be substituted at half-time.

straight to your inboxKyle Walker, Gabriel Jesus and Sergio Aguero will all have to be assessed in training before Pep Guardiola will decide when he can turn to his players again. Manchester City progressed to the Carabao Cup final for a fourth year in a row by beating neighbours United at Old Trafford with goals from John Stones and Fernandinho in a 2-0 win.

straight to your inboxPep Guardiola asked his Manchester City side for the same level of intensity in the second half of their Carabao Cup semi-final win over Manchester United to book their place in a fourth successive final.City and United had exchanged blows in the opening 45 minutes, with both sides having goals ruled out for offside and both goalkeepers making superb saves.

straight to your inboxPep Guardiola is confident that Kevin De Bruyne will sign a new contract at Manchester City despite the absence of a breakthrough in negotiations. The Blues are keen to tie the 2019/20 Premier League Player of the Year down to a bumper deal that will commit him to the club beyond the terms of his current contract that expires in 2023.