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Aguero close to City return

Sergio Aguero limped off in the win over Arsenal © PA Photos

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Sergio Aguero is likely to make his Manchester City comeback in the next week, according to manager Manuel Pellegrini.

The Argentina international striker has missed City's last seven games with a calf injury, which he sustained after opening the scoring in December's 6-3 win over Arsenal.

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And he is set to miss Sunday's trip to Newcastle but should be available for the home game against Cardiff on January 18 and possibly the FA Cup replay with Blackburn three days earlier.

The 25-year-old, who has scored 19 goals this season, has resumed full training and manager Pellegrini said: "Aguero continues working and maybe next week he can be fit."

City received other fitness boosts with the news that Jesus Navas, who missed the 6-0 win over West Ham on Wednesday, and Yaya Toure, who was hobbling around after a challenge with Mohamed Diame, will both be fine to feature at St James' Park.

"Yaya is okay, he has a little pain but nothing important," Pellegrini added. "Navas is okay. Sergio Aguero, [Stevan] Jovetic and [Jack] Rodwell continue to be injured."

Toure was able to play on against the Hammers and scored City's third goal, which was his 13th of the season.

And he went on to be named African Footballer of the Year for the third time on Thursday, leading Pellegrini to pay tribute to the midfielder.

He added: "I think it is very important for Yaya. It is not easy to win it three times in a continent that has so many players playing everywhere. It is very important for him, very important for the team and very important for the club so we are very happy for him."

Pellegrini was named Manager of the Month for December, when City took 19 points from a possible 21.

And he said: "I am very pleased, not for me but that represents the team played really well in December and we really did. We won six games and drew just one."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd