Guardiola reveals Aguero could miss opening 2 months of season

Sergio Aguero could be sidelined for up to two months as he continues to struggle with a knee issue.

The Manchester City striker suffered the injury against Burnley in June. He quickly underwent surgery in Barcelona but was forced to miss the rest of City's 2019-20 campaign, including their run to the Champions League quarterfinals.

"We knew the injury was difficult. He is doing the job (of recovering)," City manager Pep Guardiola told Friday's news conference, as reported by The Guardian's Jamie Jackson. "Sergio was out for a long time and Sergio is not a guy who regains physical condition quickly, so I think in one month or two months he will be ready."

The latest delay to Aguero's recovery means he could miss as many as nine matches at the start of the 2020-21 campaign. Gabriel Jesus scored five goals in 12 outings when Aguero succumbed to injury near the end of last season, but the Brazilian is the only natural striker available in Guardiola's senior ranks.

City strengthened their attacking options this summer with the signing of winger Ferran Torres from Valencia. They were additionally involved in a high-profile pursuit of Lionel Messi during a whirlwind 10 days when he tried to force his way out of Barcelona.

Guardiola refused to divulge any information on City's interest in Messi on Friday. The player decided to stay with Barcelona on Sept. 4 rather than take the Catalonian club to court.

City are also shorthanded in defense for the club's season opener at Wolverhampton Wanderers on Monday after Aymeric Laporte failed to prove his fitness following his COVID-19 recovery. The French defender only returned to training on Friday.

Riyad Mahrez, who also returned a positive test, will be available for the Wolves trip after returning to training earlier this week.