Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero will miss the upcoming clash against Manchester United after the Football Association (FA) handed him a three-match ban for violent conduct.
The 28-year-old was found elbowing Winston Reid in the 76th minute in City's 3-1 win against West Ham United on 28 August. The New Zealand defender had to be treated on the pitch after he was caught in the neck.
The FA charged him for violent conduct despite the match officials missing the incident. City denied charges and came up with an appeal only to see it overturned. Pep Guardiola will take his men to Old Trafford to face arch rivals in the next league clash on 10 September. With the FA's latest decision, the Spaniard will be without his star striker for the Manchester derby.
A statement of FA's official website read: "The club denied the charge and submitted further that, if it was to be found proven, the standard punishment would be clearly excessive.
"On finding the charge proven at a hearing today (Friday 2 September 2016), an Independent Regulatory Commission went on to reject the club's further claim to decrease the three-match ban."
Aguero, who finished the 2015-16 season as second highest scorer behind Tottenham Hotspur's Harry Kane, has already netted three league goals for the table-toppers in as many games.
With Wilfried Bony out on loan at Stoke City, Guardiola has the option of using Spanish winger Nolito, who arrived at the club from Celta Vigo for € 18 million, as the main striker against United. Also, 19-year-old Nigerian center forward Kelechi Iheanacho, who scored 15 times in 38 appearances under Manuel Pellegrini last season, comes in the fray as City's new manager is known for working well with young talent.
