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Sergio Aguero is winning his battle to be fit for Manchester City’s Premier League showdown with Chelsea next month.

And the Blues boss has hinted that his 19-goal top scorer could even return to face Arsenal on January 18, as he fights to recover from a knee ligament tear.

With Stevan Jovetic expected to be back in the squad next week, Pellegrini’s striker injury crisis is already easing, although they are likely to have to cope for at least the next two games, at home to Crystal Palace on Saturday and at West Brom on Boxing Day.

Pellegrini was in Madrid this week to pick up an award for his contribution to South American football.

And he said that Aguero would be back well in advance of the first leg of the Champions League tie against Barcelona, which is at the Etihad Stadium on February 24.

“Sergio has a torn ligament and I think it will be long before that tie, probably in the first weeks of January, that he will play,” said Pellegrini.

That tallies with the initial prognosis of four to six weeks, but the Chilean manager told some sources that it could be as long as eight weeks before we see “Kun” back in action again.

That worst case scenario would have meant Aguero was doubtful for the trip to Stamford Bridge, on January 31.

Edin Dzeko is also expected to return from his calf injury lay-off in time for the trip to Everton on January 10, which explains why the Blues are not in a panic about signing another striker.

The club has already dismissed the idea that they will take veteran Spanish ace David Villa on short-term loan from sister club New York City, even though he is expected to come to Manchester for pre-season training at the new City Football Academy facility in February.

Villa has been on loan with Melbourne City in Australia, but is expected to report for duty with New York next month.

City have also played down reports that they are in the market to buy a striker – and even if they did, their scope would be restricted by the ongoing UEFA transfer spending cap.

Reports in Holland have been linking City with a January move for 30-year-old Dutch star Wesley Sneijder, who is looking to escape from cash-strapped Galatasaray.

But City sources have played down any links with Sneijder, especially as a replacement for Frank Lampard, who the club are keen to see sign an extension to a loan that expires in a fortnight.

Pellegrini, after picking up his As Americas award, admitted that he would have preferred to draw someone other than Barcelona in the last 16 of the Champions League.

“It is a tough draw, as the club is one of the best teams in Europe,” he said. “Maybe we both would have liked to play against others, but we must play Barcelona – and they must play us – and there is not a problem.”

Pellegrini maybe gleaned some hope from watching Barca’s goalless draw against modest mid-table side Getafe at the weekend, but he cautioned against taking any solace from that result.

“I saw the Barca game in Getafe,” he said. “But the Barcelona of today, and the one in February, will be two different teams.

“It’s always better to play the second leg at home but it’s not something that will decide the tie 100 per cent.”

City sources have also played down reports that talks with James Milner over a new contract have broken down.

M.E.N. Sport understands negotiations are continuing