City's title challenge may be stretched after Chelsea defeat... but is Aguero making an early return?



Sergio Aguero gave Manchester City a boost after turning out for training on Wednesday following a hamstring injury.

But the 25-year-old is still likely to miss City's Champions League quarter-final first leg showdown with Barcelona on February 18 and the Capital One Cup final against Sunderland on March 2.

Pictures appear to show the Argentina international excitedly heading out for a light running alongside fellow crock Micah Richards.



Earlybird: Sergio Aguero appears to be making a quick return to Man City training

Battling the conditions: Aguero returns from training wrapped up warm in a club jacket

Hart of the City: Joe Hart looks cold and miserable after training outside in the rain

Aguero, in full training gear, can also be seen returning from a wet and windy workout behind countryman Pablo Zabaleta.



With his hood pulled tight to his head, the former Atletico Madrid star looks like he has dressed for the occasion.

Due to the adverse weather conditions in Manchester, the City players were also put through their paces indoors, although Aguero was nowhere to be seen in the gym.

Alongside Zabaleta, Alvaro Negredo and Matija Nastasic are put through their paces on blue yoga mats, while Stevan Jovetic took part in a drill with one of the club's coaches.



Stretched: Pablo Zabaleta, Alvaro Negredo and Matija Nastasic are put through their paces in the gym

Workout: Stevan Jovetic is all smiles as he works out in the gym under the watchful eye of City coaches

Aguero was missing for City's 1-0 Premier League defeat against Chelsea on Monday evening, a game where he would have thrived on testing himself against Jose Mourinho's defensively drilled side.

He will not be around for the trip to Carrow Road on Saturday, but more importantly, is also likely to miss the important FA Cup fifth round test against Chelsea on February 15 and the visit of Barca three days later.

The striker picked up a calf injury during the 6-3 win against Arsenal on December 14, but returned within four weeks, despite being expected to miss double that.

He was then injured again during the 5-1 demolition of Tottenham on January 29, and is expected to miss a month, but any return prior to that date could have a crucial impact on City's hopes of winning silverware this season.

Frustration: Despite being in fine form for City, Aguero's season has been interrupted by injury

Down and out: Aguero was expected to be sidelined for four weeks after being injured against Tottenham