Kelechi Iheanacho will replace Samir Nasri in Man City’s Champions League squad
Wilfried Bony could be out longer than anticipated
Sergio Aguero and David Silva set to be restored to City’s team for the visit to Sunderland but Fabian Delph has slight injury and will not be risked.
Hat trick hero Kelechi Iheanacho may find himself on the bench tomorrow with Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini restoring Sergio Aguero and David Silva to City’s attack.
The Chilean was richly rewarded for showing faith in Iheanacho as the young Nigerian hit three goals in the 4-0 demolition of Aston Villa in the FA Cup at the weekend after being granted a chance to start.
And he has no problems with the young Nigerian’s professionalism even if he restores two senior forwards to the starting line-up against Sam Allardyce’s relegation threatened battlers.
“He’s been working with us since he was seventeen.” said Pellegrini of the player who won the Golden Ball at the FIFA Under 17 World Cup.
“I knew from the beginning with Kelechi that if he worked hard and understood what it was to be a professional player I am sure that he would have brilliant years with this club.
“One of the most important things about him is he works every day hard to improve. He knows he must improve in a lot of things and take his next chance.
“Young players will always have to option to show that they can do it and he will continue to fight to start in every game.
“As a manager it’s important for me to use the whole squad. It’s difficult to do it with just eleven players.”
Iheanacho may console himself with the fact that Pellegrini confirmed that he would be promoted to City’s revised Champions League squad when it is submitted later this week.
The Chilean stated that Iheanacho would be replacing Samir Nasri in the revised list and had explained that his decision for both players had come with the injury to Wilfried Bony.
The Ivorian striker has a problem with his bone following a calf injury and Pellegrini confirmed that the luckless forward would be out for longer than anticipated.
He said: “I told Samir Nasri that he will be taken out of the Champions League list because he needs two months to be fit.
“We need Kelechi in the list now because Bony’s injured. Also we can’t take the risk that something happens with Kun Aguero and we don’t have any strikers for the round of 16.”
Pellegrini is set to restore a number of rested players to the starting line-up as he looks to freshen his team again for the trip to the Stadium of Light.
He confirmed that the long term injury situation had not changed at City, with Vincent Kompany, Eliaquim Mangala, Samir Nasri, Kevin De Bruyne and Wilfried Bony out.
He added: “Aleks Kolarov is fit but Fabian Delph has had a small problem for the last games so he’s not in the squad list for tomorrow.
“Delph has kick in his calf so we won’t risk him. We play again on Saturday so I won’t use any player with a risk of injury.”