Sergio Aguero will begin his second ban of the season when Manchester City face Leicester this weekend.
The Argentine will sit out the next four domestic matches – including a crucial clash with Arsenal – after his ludicrous challenge on David Luiz in the 3-1 home defeat to Chelsea.
If the Champions League draw with Celtic is anything to go by, City can at least rely on Kelechi Ihenacho to take his place, the starlet netting the equaliser against the Hoops.
And the Nigerian admits Aguero has told him to fill the void over the next few weeks.
“Before we played Celtic [he said] that it’s up to me now to fill that gap, to carry the team along,” he told reporters.
“He’s telling me I should do very well and they are words of encouragement from him. So I’m going to do it.
“It’s going to be a great responsibility for me. I need to really work hard to help the team get these points we need in the Premier League. It’s a tough league, everyone can see that. I need to do extra to help the team to carry them along and to get the points that we need.
“It’s a big opportunity for me now. Sergio’s not around so I have to take responsibility and fill the gap. I need to work really hard to prove myself to the team.”
The 20-year-old, who has scored five goals this season in all competitions, is clearly encouraged by his more senior strike partner, even if Aguero isn’t exactly setting him the best example with his disciplinary record this season.
It could be Aguero who misses out the most, however, as Diego Costa now has the opportunity to surge ahead in the race for the Premier League Golden Boot.
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