London // Sergio Aguero played down fears he suffered a serious injury after the Argentina striker limped out of Manchester City’s 1-0 win at Crystal Palace on Saturday.
Aguero had to come off in the 25th minute after being kicked on the knee by Palace defender Scott Dann in a challenge that City manager Manuel Pellegrini felt was worthy of a red card.
But Aguero was quick to allay concerns that he would be sidelined for a long period.
“Thanks everyone for your concern. I got a hard hit and it prevented me from playing more. It doesn’t seem to be a serious injury though,” Aguero wrote on his Twitter account.
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Despite Aguero’s optimism, Pellegrini was uncertain if the 27-year-old Argentine would be fit in time for City’s opening Champions League group fixture against Italian side Juventus at Etihad Stadium on Tuesday.
“It was an important kick on his knee. We’ll see if he can recover between now and Tuesday,” Pellegrini said.
“Sometimes you must show the red card immediately because you know the intention of the player, just to make him fall down.”
Meanwhile, Nigerian teenager Kelechi Iheanacho pledged to create more headlines in the future after scoring his first City goal to secure the win.
Making only his second senior appearance, the 18-year-old forward scored moments after coming on in the 89th minute at Selhurst Park, prodding home the rebound after Alex McCarthy saved from Samir Nasri.
His goal preserved City’s 100 per cent start to the season and left Manuel Pellegrini’s side five points clear at the top of the Premier League table.
“I am happy to score a goal like that,” Iheanacho, who led Nigeria to an Under 17 World Cup title in Abu Dhabi in 2013, told Sky Sports. “Palace are a great team, but we are also a strong team. I am hoping to do great for the team.
“It is not easy because there are great players here, but I have to work hard and I will get there. We are much stronger this season and we are going to go all the way.”
Iheanacho, who wears the number 72 shirt for City, has been capped by Nigeria at under-17 and under-20 level.
Pellegrini said: “Kelechi is a very important striker and just 18 years of age. He has a lot to improve.”
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