Manuel Pellegrini has admitted Samir Nasri’s return from injury could boost Manchester City as they attempt to put recent slip-ups behind them. A number of injuries to key City players have coincided with a slip in form that saw Pellegrini’s men suffer a 1-0 defeat to title rivals, Chelsea, before a goalless draw at Norwich.

Pellegrini's side have lacked a cutting edge, despite boasting one of the most dangerous attacking units in world football, and the Chilean tactician has revealed that Nasri has been sorely missed during a five-week spell away from the team with knee ligament damage. 

Nasri was an ever-present for City this season before his injury, scoring six goals and assisting for another nine more goals. 

With City’s Champions League clash against Barcelona edging ever closer, Nasri’s return to training has been a timely boost for Pellegrini, as well as fans who bet on soccer games.

While Pellegrini has admitted it is a huge boost to have Nasri back in contention again, the City manager highlighted the fact his squad had been hit by injuries at a key part of the season.  

“He is a very important player, it is impossible not to miss him. But we also had other injured players before him - David Silva, Sergio Aguero, Stevan Jovetic and Vincent Kompany - and we always managed to continue winning.”

“In the last two weeks I said this was not an excuse because we have had a lot of injuries during the year,” said the City boss.

While top scorer, Aguero, and midfielder, Fernandinho, remain on the sidelines with injury, Spanish midfielder, Javi Garcia, is also fit again after a muscle strain that has restricted his playing time since the beginning of the year.