Mancini: Impossible for Aguero to play for Argentina

Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini claims it is “impossible” for injured striker Sergio Aguero to play for Argentina next month and “ridiculous” he has been called up.

Aguero is out of action with a knee injury after falling awkwardly in last week’s Premier League opener against Southampton and the club are not expecting him back until mid-September at the earliest.

But that has not stopped Argentina coach Alejandro Sabella naming the 24-year-old in his squad for World Cup qualifiers against Paraguay and Peru on September 7 and 11 respectively.

Mancini accepts Argentina have a right under international rules to summon Aguero – and can carry out their own medical assessment if necessary – but he thinks it is a ludicrous situation.

The Italian said: “It is impossible because Sergio needs a minimum of two weeks without training.

“If in one week if he could be ready to play it is different, but I think he needs another two weeks. He can go and fly back quickly. These are the rules and we need to respect them – they are ridiculous rules.”

Italy midfielder Daniele de Rossi remains a strongly rumoured transfer target for City despite the player’s recent assertions that he wants to stay at Roma.

Mancini said: “It is a difficult situation and I don’t know what can happen.”