Guardiola wants Aguero to be 'smart' in return from suspension

Manchester City's Pep Guardiola has urged Sergio Aguero not to be drawn into the nastier side of the game so he can avoid being suspended again.

Aguero was banned and widely slammed for swinging an elbow towards West Ham United's Winston Reid on Aug. 28, but has served his three-game spell on the sidelines and will be available for Saturday's trip to Swansea City.

In the last game of his suspension, however, teammate Nolito saw red after pushing his head into Bournemouth's wind-up merchant Adam Smith, meaning the Spaniard begins a three-match ban this weekend.

"You have to be smart, intelligent, to not fall down," Guardiola said, according to Jamie Jackson from the Guardian. "Be quiet and focus on what you have to do in the game, but I think for the history of Aguero and Nolito you know they are normal guys, they want to play."

Given they haven't had previous sanctions for that kind of conduct, Guardiola hasn't felt it necessary to talk with either forward about their behaviour. An enforced stint off the pitch is punishment enough.

"(Aguero's) not that type of player but sometimes you know this kind of action happens," the former Barcelona and Bayern Munich handler continued. "We can agree or not agree about the suspension but we accept - the same with Nolito, like he didn't touch the opponent, and first he provoked Nolito - and we have to accept.

"We have to accept absolutely the suspension from the federation and try as quickly as possible to get Nolito back with the team and we are happy Sergio can play again with us."

With Aguero returning but Nolito out, there's a chance Kelechi Iheanacho could keep his spot in the starting XI. The Nigerian teenager scored two goals over three outings while the Argentinian striker was absent.

That would necessitate two up front if Aguero was selected with Iheanacho, however - something Guardiola has yet to deploy at City. So Nolito's usual spot on the flank could instead be assumed by Leroy Sane or Jesus Navas.

The new manager has had a seamless introduction to English football, and is seeking his 10th consecutive win at the helm Saturday on the Welsh coast.