Sergio Aguero will miss Manchester City's Premier League opener against Wolves on Monday, Pep Guardiola has confirmed.
Aguero suffered a knee injury towards the end of last season which ruled him out of the Premier League run-in and the conclusion of the Champions League knockout stage.
City boss Guardiola confirmed the club's all-time leading goalscorer is still not available for selection, meaning Gabriel Jesus is set to lead the attack in his absence.
Asked if Aguero was available for Monday, Guardiola said: “No, still he hasn’t had one training session with us.”
Guardiola also spoke publicly for the first time since midfielder Phil Foden was sent home from England duty in disgrace, along with Manchester United's Mason Greenwood.
Foden and Greenwood were axed by Gareth Southgater after breaking strict Covid-19 protocols, by inviting two women into the England hotel in Iceland.
Asked what lesson Foden had learned from the chastening experience, Guardiola sadi: “He’s well, from the time I saw him. We've had three or four days together. He knows he made a mistake and that’s all.”
Guardiola was tight-lipped when asked how close City came to signing Lionel Messi, after the Barcelona star made it clear he had wanted to leave the Nou Camp.
“I think I don’t have to explain anything,” said Guardiola. “Leo explained quite well his feelings, so nothing to add from me.
“He’s a player for Barcelona, the club I love, and there's nothing more to say.
“I don’t know. It’s a question for Lionel, I cannot talk about the intentions for those people.”
Guardiola is out of contract at the end of this season but refused to be drawn on his future.
“It’s the same position,” said the City boss. “I work harder or better every day than the previous season, do the best football possible to win games and make people proud of our team, that’s my job.”
Riyad Mahrez and Aymeric Laporte both tested positive for coronavirus and were forced to undergo a period of isolation.
While Mahrez is back training and available to face Wolves, Laporte only resumed training on Friday and so will not take part.
