Sergio Aguero: Manchester City striker charged with violent conduct for elbow on Winston Reid

The 28-year-old striker could be handed a three-match ban, which would rule him out of the forthcoming Manchester derby

Aguero appeared to elbow Reid during City's 3-1 win over West Ham (Getty)

Sergio Aguero has been charged for an alleged act of violent conduct by the Football Association.

The Manchester City striker appeared to elbow Winston Reid during his side’s 3-1 Premier League victory over West Ham United on Sunday.

Andre Marriner, the match referee, did not take action following the incident, therby allowing the FA to take retrospective action.

A statement on the FA's website read: "Off the ball incidents which are not seen at the time by the match officials are referred to a panel of three former elite match officials.

"Each panel member will review the video footage independently of one another to determine whether they consider it a sending-off offence.

"For retrospective action to be taken, and an FA charge to follow, the decision of the panel must be unanimous."

If found guilty, Aguero could serve a three-match ban, which would rule him out of the Manchester derby against Manchester United on 10 September.

The 28-year-old Argentina international has until 6.00pm on Wednesday to reply to the charge.

When asked about the incident, Pep Guardiola, the Manchester City manager, said: “I didn’t see it so I cannot comment. Hopefully, nothing happens.

"If it [the ban] happens, we accept and adapt. If we lose him, we lose him. We are going to play with 11.”

Aguero's participation in the derby was put into further doubt on Monday following his withdrawal from Argentina's squad for forthcoming World Cup qualifiers with a calf injury.