• Premier League

Aguero puts comeback on hold

Sergio Aguero says he is wary of making his comeback too soon in case he breaks down again and is ruled out of the title race run-in and the World Cup.

Manchester City's top scorer, who has had a calf problem followed by two hamstring injuries, is spending his third spell on the sidelines this season.

Manager Manuel Pellegrini had originally hoped the 26-goal forward would be able to return for Saturday's 1-1 draw at Arsenal but then moved his return back a week, hoping Aguero could be back for this weekend's home game against Southampton.

But the Argentina striker is erring on the side of caution as he bids to ensure his injury problems do not recur and force him out of the World Cup in Brazil.

Aguero told DirecTV: "With this recovery I am trying to do my best to be able to play again, but I cannot do it in a hurry.

"I do think to myself if something happens now, I will lose the rest of the Premier League season and the World Cup."

After facing Southampton, City's next game is against title rivals Liverpool at Anfield on April 13, a match that could be pivotal in the title race and in which a fit Aguero could tip the balance in favour of Pellegrini's side.

Aguero joined City from Atletico Madrid for £38 million in 2011 and has been linked with a return to Spain - Real Madrid and Barcelona are both apparently interested - frequently since.

Manager Pellegrini has always insisted that Aguero is happy at City and will not be sold. The 25-year-old revealed how his manager made the case for him remaining in Manchester.

Aguero said: "He says to me that I can't leave without winning a Champions League. That's the objective of each player in Europe."

City were knocked out of the Champions League by Barcelona this season, with Aguero getting injured in the second leg of their last-16 tie at the Nou Camp.

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