Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero could be out for up to two months as he recovers his fitness after surgery on his left knee injury, manager Pep Guardiola said.
Aguero had an operation on June 24, two days after getting hurt in a Premier League match against Burnley.
The Argentina international published a video on Twitter, showing himself running with a ball in an individual training session, but Guardiola said an imminent return to the team was unlikely.
“He is doing the (work), in maybe one month or two months he will be ready," Guardiola said.
“He has to come back on the pitch and regain the physical condition. Sergio was out for a long time and Sergio is not a guy who regains the physical condition quick."
Gabriel Jesus is likely to start the season up front in Aguero's absence as City start their season at Wolves on Monday.
Meanwhile, Guardiola said only Lionel Messi knows if a move to City is a possibility next year after the Argentine reluctantly decided to stay at Barcelona this season.
In an explosive interview earlier this month, Messi blasted Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu, accusing him of not keeping his promise to allow him to leave for free at the end of the last campaign.
Instead, Messi was forced to stay or face a court battle with the club he has played for his entire career.
City were believed to be in the driving seat to sign the six-time Ballon d'Or winner if he left Catalonia.
"I don't have to explain anything. I think Leo explained quite well his feelings, I don't have anything to add," Guardiola said.
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Barcelona attacker Lionel Messi, right, under pressure from Girona's Jairo Izquierdo during their pre-season friendly at the Johan Cruyff Stadium. Barca won the match 3-1. AP -
Barcelona's Philippe Coutinho skips past a challenge. AFP -
Barcelona's Lionel Messi in possession against Girona. AP -
Lionel Messi scores Barca's third goal. Reuters -
Barcelona defender Gerard Pique tackles Jonas Ramalho of Girona. Getty -
Lionel Messi celebrates with teammates after scoring Barca's third goal. Getty -
Barca's Frankie de Jong is challenged by Valery Fernandez of Girona. Getty -
Barcelona's Lionel Messi after scoring their second. Reuters -
Barcelona's Lionel Messi celebrates scoring their second goal with Sergio Busquets. Reuters -
Lionel Messi during the friendly. AFP -
New manager Ronald Koeman looks on during the friendly. AFP -
Lionel Messi turns away from Girona's Samu Saiz. Getty -
Barcelona's Ousmane Dembele, left, and Joel Priego of Girona. Reuters -
Three Girona players try to stop Lionel Messi. Reuters -
Barcelona's Lionel Messi shoots at goal from a free kick. Reuters -
Barcelona's Antoine Griezmann shoots at goal. Reuters -
Lionel Messi scores Barcelona's second goal. Getty -
Lionel Messi under peressure from Girona midfielder Jairo Izquierdo. AFP -
Lionel Messi shakes hands with manager Ronald Koeman as the Argentine is substituted. Reuters -
Lionel Messi after being substituted. Reuters
"He is a Barcelona player, the club I love and (I have) nothing more to say."
Messi will be able to leave Barca for free next summer but his former coach Guardiola, who was Barcelona's most successful-ever manager with 14 trophies in four years between 2008 and 2012, is in the dark over whether he is keen to come to Manchester.
"I don't know," he said. "I cannot talk about the intentions from other people."
