MANCHESTER City star Sergio Aguero could return from his eight-game injury lay-off in tomorrow’s FA Cup third-round replay with Blackburn Rovers at the Etihad Stadium.

But Frenchman Samir Nasri will not be fit to face Rovers after picking up a knee injury in City’s win over Newcastle on Sunday.

After resuming training last week the prolific Argentinian striker was expected to make his competitive comeback in this weekend’s Premier League clash with Cardiff.

But Aguero, who has scored 19 goals in 20 matches this season, said: “I’ll be ready for action this week.

“My injury is improving slowly. Recovery’s going very well. I’m back to sprinting on the field and moving the ball around.

“I’ll be fully recovered by the Cardiff game and depending on how the week’s training goes I may be able to show up for a few minutes on the second leg against Blackburn for the FA Cup.”

City have won seven of their eight games since Aguero came off with a calf injury in the 6-3 home win over Arsenal – their only blemish being the 1-1 draw with Rovers which set up tomorrow’s replay.

City boss Manuel Pellegrini will be without Nasri as the France international is set to spend eight weeks on the sidelines.

Nasri sustained knee-ligament damage over the weekend after being the victim of a high challenge from compatriot Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa.

Spanish international Jesus Navas replaced Nasri at the weekend and could start against Rovers.