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Cape Town - Manchester City will be without the services of star striker Sergio Aguero when they take on Manchester United on Saturday, according to Pep Guardiola.
Argentina international Aguero picked up a thigh injury during City's 2-1 victory over Chelsea on November 23 and subsequently missed Saturday's draw at Newcastle.
There had been some suggestions the 31-year-old could return to action for Tuesday's trip to Burnley or this weekend's derby clash with Manchester United at the Etihad Stadium.
Guardiola has now confirmed his comeback will not happen until after those games.
"He won't be ready for the derby," Guardiola told reporters. "After that we will see."
City's 2-2 draw with Newcastle on Saturday means they head into Tuesday's match at Turf Moor sitting third in the standings and a staggering 11 points behind leaders Liverpool.
The Citizens' chances of claiming a third successive top-flight crown seem slim, as things stand, but Guardiola has urged his players not worry about what their title rivals are doing.
"The players have to believe. They have to believe we will win tomorrow," Guardiola added.
"They can't think too much about the teams in front. We have to think about what to do to win the games. We have to try to be more solid with the chances we have and the chances we concede."
City's form has been patchy of late as they have only won one of their last five matches across all competitions.
However, they have only lost one of their previous 22 meetings with Burnley, a run that stretches back to 1974.
A victory on Tuesday would see City, temporarily at the least, close the gap on Premier League leaders Liverpool back down to eight points, with the Reds set to welcome Merseyside rivals Everton to Anfield on Wednesday evening.
- TeamTalk Media
