Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola admits he is unsure when Sergio Aguero will return

Pep Guardiola admitted he was unsure about the timetable for Sergio Aguero’s return to Manchester City’s team.

The striker, 32, has hardly played this season due to ongoing issues related to a knee injury.

Aguero is expected to return this week but the City boss issued a note of caution, saying: ‘Sergio depends how he wakes up. He makes good training sessions and then has some niggles.

Pep Guadiola admitted he is unsure when Sergio Aguero will be able to return from injury

The Manchester City boss said the striker woke up on Saturday with a problem in his knee

‘He woke up with a little problem in his knee. We know the injury he had is not easy for the recovery.

‘We have to handle it as best as possible.’ In Aguero’s absence City had struggled for goals prior to the thumping 5-0 win against Burnley.

Despite the result, Guardiola warned his forwards that they must start hitting individual targets or face sitting on the bench — suggesting he is ready to ditch mass rotation in matches over the next month and will only pick players on performances.

Guardiola’s side beat Burnley 5-0 in Augero’s absence with Riyad Mahrez scoring a hat-trick

‘It’s not about rotation now,’ Guardiola said. ‘The players who don’t make mistakes — like John Stones in defence — deserve to play more games.

‘The goals today help us, of course — especially for Riyad Mahrez. Gabriel Jesus has to score goals too.’

Mahrez answered his critics with a hat-trick, while Guardiola started both Raheem Sterling and Phil Foden on the bench.

He added: ‘Sterling when he plays has to score. They have to score more goals. That is why they are here. It depends on the player, their performance on the pitch.’