Manchester City winger Jesus Navas will miss tonight’s League Cup semi-final first leg at home with a knee injury, manager Manuel Pellegrini has revealed.
The 28-year-old Spaniard played as a second-half substitute in his side’s 1-1 draw at Blackburn Rovers in the FA Cup on Saturday, but although his injury is not serious, Pellegrini does not want to take any chances.
Man City goalkeeper Joe Hart. Pic/Getty Images
“He is not injured but he has a little problem,” Pellegrini said. “It is not very important, it is just a precaution.”
Pellegrini also revealed that top-scorer Sergio Aguero is in line to return to action later this month, having been out of action since damaging his calf in the 6-3 win over Arsenal on December 14.
“He is working, he is training,” said the Chilean at the pre-match media conference. “It is very good news. All players recovering from injuries is good news, especially a player as important as Kun Aguero.”
Centre-back Martin Demichelis is fit to return against West Ham after missing four games with a hamstring injury, but Micah Richards, Jack Rodwell and Stevan Jovetic remain unavailable.
Pellegrini also said he had yet to decide which goalkeeper to select out of Joe Hart and Costel Pantilimon.
England international Hart recently regained his place in the first team after losing it to Pantilimon, but returned to the side at Blackburn and was at fault for the home side’s equaliser. “Tomorrow we will see the 11 that start,” Pellegrini said.
“I think he (Pantilimon) has responded well. I analysed the performance with the players and tomorrow we will see who will start.”
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