Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero contests violent conduct charge

Segio Aguero in action against Stoke earlier this season. Photo / Photosport

Sergio Aguero has decided to contest his violent conduct charge in hope of facing Manchester United in next weekend's derby match at Old Trafford.

The Argentina international faces the prospect of a three-match ban after being charged retrospectively by the Football Association after appearing to elbow Winston Reid.

Aguero was granted an extra 24 hours to appeal against the ban and he has decided to take up the option.

He had been given until 6pm on Thursday to respond to the charge, which was issued after review a panel felt he should have been sent off.

The FA, who will meet on Friday to make a final decision, could now increase his suspension to four matches if they feel his appeal was frivolous.

The Argentine striker was charged after throwing an elbow at West Ham's Winston Reid during Sunday's 3-1 victory at the Etihad Stadium.

Referee Andre Marriner was only a few yards away from the incident but did not spot Reid being hit in the jaw.

If found guilty he will miss three matches, including the derby against local rivals Manchester United on September 10.

Aguero will also be out for a Premier League clash against Bournemouth and an EFL Cup trip to Swansea City.

He would also have to sit out the league clash with Swansea on September 24 if the FA deem the appeal to be nothing more than a time-wasting exercise.

An FA statement read: 'Off-the-ball incidents which are not seen at the time by the match officials are referred to a panel of three former elite match officials.

'Each panel member will review the video footage independently of one another to determine whether they consider it a sending-off offence.

'For retrospective action to be taken, and an FA charge to follow, the decision of the panel must be unanimous.'