Mancini confirmed the Argentine striker will miss City's Premier League home clash with Sunderland at the weekend and could be out of action for up to ten days.

"It is a stupid injury," Mancini told reporters. "It was not his fault but he can't play with this injury; for one day, 10 days or two weeks, I don't know."

Mancini refused to give details of how Aguero sustained the injury.
 
"I prefer not to say," the Italian said. "But he couldn't play against Stoke and can't play tomorrow. I hope he can recover for Arsenal next weekend."

Aguero's absence means fellow countryman Carlos Tevez could be handed a starting berth for the first time since his return to Eastlands last month.

City trail league leaders Manchester United by three points but can return to the top with victory over Sunderland as United do not play until Monday against Blackburn.