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SILVA NOT GOLDEN

Manchester City could be without David Silva but Gabriel Jesus returns for Pep Guardiola as his side face tricky United test at Etihad

DAVID SILVA is a major doubt for Pep Guardiola as Manchester City welcome fierce rivals United to the Etihad.

The Spain international was forced off after just 23 minutes of Sunday's FA Cup semi-final loss to Arsenal with a hamstring injury, having been hit hard by tackle from Gabriel moments earlier.

 David Silva hobbled out of Manchester City's FA Cup semi-final defeat to Manchester City after a heavy tackle from Gabriel
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David Silva hobbled out of Manchester City's FA Cup semi-final defeat to Manchester City after a heavy tackle from GabrielCredit: Rex Features

Striker Sergio Aguero has a better chance of featuring despite suffering a knock in the same game, while only match-fitness is now holding fellow forward Gabriel Jesus back.


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Jesus, who scored three goals in four starts after joining the club in January, has been out since breaking a bone in his foot in February.

Guardiola said: "David Silva is a real, real doubt, I don't know if he will be ready to play after what happened in the first minutes in the semi-final of the FA Cup.

 Gabriel apologises to David Silva after a heavy challenge on the Spaniard
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Gabriel apologises to David Silva after a heavy challenge on the SpaniardCredit: Rex Features
 Sergio Aguero is fully fit after City's extra-time FA Cup semi-final loss to Arsenal
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Sergio Aguero is fully fit after City's extra-time FA Cup semi-final loss to ArsenalCredit: Rex Features

"Gabriel has no pain at all, so is ready but has had three months out, so his physical condition is not optimal.

"Sergio is much better. Today he makes a short part of the training session, tomorrow we will wait (and see)."

The stakes are high in the third Manchester derby meeting of the season, with Champions League qualification points on the line.

 Gabriel Jesus could make an appearance for City in Thursday night's showdown
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Gabriel Jesus could make an appearance for City in Thursday night's showdownCredit: PA:Press Association

City, fourth in the Premier League, are just a point ahead of their arch-rivals, who have not lost in the competition since October.

Guardiola said: "They are good, good rivals, good quality, in good form. They've had big series without defeat in the Premier League. They have a lot of quality, history. We're looking forward to the game."

Meanwhile City's rivals United have injury problems of their own after news that Paul Pogba is OUT of the crunch clash, after Zlatan Ibrahimovic was ruled out with anterior cruciate ligament damage.

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