Sergio Aguero is on course to make his Manchester City
comeback against Arsenal.
City manager Manuel Pellegrini believes his 19-goal top
scorer ought to be fit for the clash with Arsene
Wenger's side on Jan. 18.
He also thinks that Edin Dzeko will alleviate City's
striking injury crisis by returning sooner, for the trip to
Everton on Jan. 10.
The Bosnian has missed City's last five games after
suffering a calf injury in the warm-up at Leicester,
while Aguero suffered a knee injury in the 1-0 win
over Everton earlier in December.
Pellegrini has always been confident both forwards
would be available for the clash with title rivals Chelsea
on Jan. 31 and has now confirmed he expects them
back sooner.
"I hope in the next week Edin Dzeko will be fit and in
the next week [after that] will be 'Kun' [Aguero]," he
said in his news conference after Thursday's 3-2 win
over Sunderland.
In the absence of both Aguero and Dzeko, teenager
Jose Angel Pozo led the line at Leicester before
midfielder James Milner spent three games as an
auxiliary striker.
Then Stevan Jovetic, who had been out with a hamstring
problem, started and scored against Sunderland.
However, the Montenegrin said that he, too, prefers to
operate in a deeper role, telling the Manchester
Evening News: "It is not James' position, and it is also
not mine.
"I have played a couple of games as a lone striker, but
I prefer to play with someone in front of me. But this is
an emergency and I feel I did well and can do it
again."
Pellegrini also suggested Willy Caballero, who came in
for Joe Hart against Sunderland, will keep his place
for Sunday's FA Cup tie against Sheffield Wednesday.
The Argentine, who was a summer signing from
Malaga, played back-to-back games in the Capital One
Cup and the Premier League in September and
Pellegrini hinted at a repeat.
He added: "It is important when you play so many
games -- not only for Joe but for other players -- to
have an important rotation. I did the same before the
Capital One Cup for Willy Caballero. So I think it's good
for Willy, good for Joe and good for the team."