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Sergio Aguero is set to hand Manchester City a sensational New Year boost with an early return from injury.

Aguero, City’s top scorer this season with 19 goals, has been missing for the past three weeks with ligament damage to his left knee.

The Argentina striker was not expected to make his comeback until late January, in line with his projected six to eight week enforced absence.

But Mirror Sport has learned Aguero is ahead of schedule in terms of his rehab and could even feature in City’s away trip to Everton on January 10.

City’s medical staff and boss Manuel Pellegrini are wary of rushing back Aguero too soon and risking him breaking down and facing a further spell on the sidelines.

(Image: Action Images)

But Aguero is a tough, resilient competitor and his team-mates have noted his buoyant mood

That would put the 26-year-old forward on course to make his comeback earlier than first thought, a major boost for Pellegrini, who is currently without all three of his recognised strikers.

Edin Dzeko has a calf injury and is not due back until mid-January, while Stevan Jovetic has an ongoing hamstring problem which has kept him out of City’s last three games.

Pellegrini is desperate to have Aguero back and match-fit for City’s potentially decisive encounter with Premier League title rivals Chelsea on January 31 at Stamford Bridge.

City are also without skipper Vincent Kompany, who has had a recurrence of a hamstring strain, but he is making good progress and could be fit to face Sunderland on New Year’s Day.