SERGIO AGUERO admits he is struggling with his return from knee surgery.
The Manchester City legend went under the knife in late June and has started only three games since.
And the Argentina striker, 32, says he does not know from one day to the next how the knee is going to feel — which will strike fear into the hearts of City fans.
Each time Aguero has returned to Pep Guardiola’s side, it has been followed by a setback. And the Etihad club’s 256-goal all-time leading scorer said: “It’s difficult. Sometimes my knee is good, sometimes a little bit bad.
“I am doing everything to help the physio and medical staff to help me improve — I need a little bit of time.”
Guardiola revealed Aguero had missed a day of training this week after playing the final 14 minutes of Tuesday’s 1-1 home draw with struggling West Brom.
But the City boss is adamant it was nothing to do with the knee problem.
And City will leave it until the last minute to decide if Aguero can play some part against in-form Southampton at St Mary’s on Saturday.
Guardiola said on Friday: “Sergio could not train on Thursday and today he trained really well but I don’t know how many minutes he can play.
“It’s important he can make training sessions.
“After the game it was nothing about the knee, it was another thing — but today he was training.”
Pep also warned born-again John Stones he must not let his standards drop again.
The £47.5million defender, 26, lost his way at the Etihad early in 2019 and is only just recapturing his best form.
Guardiola added: “His personal life, now it’s settled, is much better.
“What he’s gained in the way he lives his life and takes care of himself — his body, mind — he’s got to keep for ten years, 12 years.
“If he can avoid injuries he can be the player we’ve always believed he can be.
“He’s given us a good feeling but it’s just two or three games.”
Stones has 18 months on his City contract and now has the opportunity to earn an extension beyond summer 2022.
Pep said: “His attitude was always the same but we see him happier and stronger now and that helps a lot.”
