Manchester City's preparations for their vital Premier League clash at Chelsea have been rocked by news of Sergio Aguero's car crash.
The in-form striker was involved in the smash in Amsterdam last night, but avoided serious injury.
Aguero will be assessed by the club's medical team before the squad flies to London later today be looks set to be a serious doubt.
City boss Pep Guardiola will hold his weekly press conference this afternoon and is sure to be asked about his star striker.
The Spaniard will also look ahead to the clash with Antonio Conte's Blues after both sides won in the Champions League in midweek.
You can follow ever word he says right here from 1.30pm with our colleagues at the Manchester Evening News...
Thumbs up from Aguero
Good to see.
Aguero update
The man himself has tweeted! Confirmed a rib fracture and he is now at home recovering.
Jesus in buoyant mood
At least one of City’s forwards is smiling.
Mancini sends his support
Classy touch.
Aguero's father expands on car accident
“He has been discharged and will be transferred to Manchester”, Aguero’s father told TyC (via Sport Witness).
“According to Sergio, the taxi was going very fast, he asked him to slow down and even put on his seatbelt. At his request to slow down, the driver just said ‘ok’. Then he left the lane, or something, and hit a lamppost. He got lucky because he was going too fast”.
Hazard in line to start
From Antonio Conte’s press conference, sounds like Eden Hazard is set to start tomorrow evening.
Guardiola on Ancelotti sacking
“I have a big appreciation for Carlo Ancelotti. When a manager is sacked from a team - we are very close to other managers and it can happen to anyone. I am very grateful to Bayern and what I am now is thanks to Bayern Munich.
I wish Ancelotti a lot of luck for the future.”
On Kompany's injury
“No way” Kompany can play vs Chelsea.
“I spoke to Roberto Martinez and Kompany is travelling to Belgium to meet with the doctor.
“Of course he can not play with Belgium.”
Aguero part II
Guardiola not interested in commenting on Aguero being in Amsterdam. “Day off”.
He hasn’t spoken to him. Not available tomorrow.
“The first impression is that he has broken rib but the number of days he will be out, I don’t know right now.”
Guardiola on Agero
“Mendy will be out until the Champions League semi finals and Aguero I don’t know He is still in Amsterdam and he is coming back this afternoon. I am not a doctor and I don’t know exactly what he has.
“It was an accident and he will recover as soon as possible.”
Chelsea react to Aguero news
Won’t change his plans apparently.
Aguero gives an update
Aguero has confirmed a broken rib.
“The taxi driver did not see the curve and skid. And when he skidded, we hit him with the pole, “he said at Radio Metro de Argentina.
“I broke my rib, now I’m resting. It hurts me badly. I’ll be discharged in a little while.”
Mendy latest
Ready for surgery.
Press conference time
Updates from 1.30pm.
Aguero flying home
He is now flying home ahead of assessment at the CFA.
Aguero missed training
No surprises with that really given what happened last night.
Aguero latest
He was due back in Manchester this morning.
Fernandinho wants a 'perfect month'
He been looking forward to the Chelsea clash.
“It’s going to be a tough game for us against the Premier League champions away. They start the Premier League this year not so good but we all know they have a lot of quality players.
“It’s going to be a nice game and I hope we can be ready for it and try to get the three points. If we can win there it would be a perfect month for us. We just think about trying to win the next game.”
Keys on Aguero
An absolutely terrible take from Richard Keys here. Rightly being told as much by twitter.
Ian Cheeseman's column
Always worth a read, this.
Kompany called up for Belgium
Good news: Should mean he is back to full fitness.
Bad news: City pay his wages and he hasn’t played for them since the win at Bournemouth last month.
Combined City and Chelsea XI
Ah, a famous pastime ahead of big clashes.
Goal have nominated five City players:
- Stones
- De Bruyne
- Silva
- Sterling
- Sane
Defence being dominated by Chelsea perhaps, but no Jesus ? Bizarre.
Aguero and Mendy omitted on the basis they aren’t available for selection this weekend.
Brings back bad memories
It’s not the first time a City player has been involved in a car accident.
Caballero sends his best wishes
None of Aguero’s current team mates have tweeted about the incident yet.
Guardiola takes a swipe at Mourinho
He was chatting with Gary Linekar on The Premier League Show as he aimed a little dig at United by saying they’re the mostly likley to play long balls.
He said:
‘I don’t think so. ‘You see for example the national team, and you see Eric Dier, Dele Alli, [Marcus] Rashford, Raz [Sterling], John Stones, Kyle Walker, they are players who have the ability to play, they want to play. [Jordan] Henderson, [Adam] Lallana too.
‘So they are players with the quality to play, I think they want to play. I don’t see all the time long balls. I see for example Chelsea, Tottenham, they want to play. They like to play, to build up.
‘When [Manchester] United play long balls up to [Marouane] Fellaini and [Paul] Pogba, after they have the quality to play.’
He was congratulated on his subtle dig, Guardiola replied laughing: ‘I have a lot of respect for my neighbours.’
De Bruyne tipped for big award
Odds have been slashed on Kevin de Bruyne being crowned player of the year.
Online bookmakers 888sport have the Belgian as favourites to win the award after his recent performances.
Here are the latest odds:
Kevin De Bruyne – 5/1
Romelu Lukaku – 8/1
Harry Kane – 9/1
Sergio Aguero – 10/1
Alvaro Morata – 12/1
Paul Pogba – 14/1
Gabriel Jesus – 16/1
Sadio Mane – 16/1
David Silva – 16/1
Why was Aguero in Holland
Expect Guardiola to be asked this question later.
Gutted about Aguero
It’s not the news everyone wanted to wake up to this morning.
City won't be the only ones who miss Aguero
The international break is coming up and he’ll be a big miss for Argentina.
What we know about the Aguero accident
Here is what we know so far:
- Sergio Aguero has been injured after a crash in Amsterdam last night
- He was travelling in a taxi which crashed into a lamp post in the De Boelelaan area at 11pm
- The striker had been on a day off and was in Amsterdam to watch Colombian singer Maluma
- City confirm Aguero has sustained injuries
- He will return to Manchester today to be checked over by club doctors