Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero ‘struggled’ with Covid-19 but now feeling better

Aguero confirmed he had tested positive for virus last week

Sergio Aguero struggled with the symptoms of Covid-19 but is feeling better and making progress in his recovery, according to Pep Guardiola.

The Manchester City striker has not played since coming on as a late substitute in the 3-1 win over Chelsea earlier this month after coming into contact with a confirmed case.

Aguero observed a period of self-isolation - missing City's games against Birmingham, Brighton, Crystal Palace and Aston Villa - but later tested positive himself.

Guardiola revealed on Friday that the 32-year-old had felt "uncomfortable" and "tired" after contracting the virus and, ahead of Tuesday's trip to West Bromwich Albion, said that Aguero had "struggled" with Covid symptoms.

But the Argentina international is now feeling better, according to his manager, and working his way back to fitness.

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"The important thing is when we text him during the first three or four days he struggled, he felt so tired, but today he sent a message to the backroom staff to say he feels much better," Guardiola revealed.

"Now he needs to test negative and abide by the protocols and then start to come back here and move and see how he feels day by day. 

"I cannot tell you [when he will be back], I don't know how he will react in the first days when we start to train."

Aguero has only started three games for City this season having undergone knee surgery last summer and then suffered a hamstring injury.

Guardiola is confident, though, that City's all-time leading goalscorer will be able to get back to his best once he recovers.

"I’m so optimistic that he will give us the last... I don't know when he is coming back, February or March, but until the end of the season some good, good months. I'm so optimistic," he said.  

"He is going to help us in the decisive moments, to give us the goals and the difference that we need. I'm so confident it’s going to happen."