Manchester City: David Silva back but Joe Hart out for Saints clash

Manchester City boss Manuel Pellegrini confirmed David Silva will be back on the pitch against Southampton at the weekend after missing nine games.

"David Silva and Wilfried Bony, both of them are in the squad list," the Chilean told reporters at a press conference. "It is very important. David is a very important player, the same as Kun, one of the players that is very difficult to replace.

"But as I said one of the merits of the squad was to play so many games without so many important players and continue being at the top of the table. I hope both of them can recover, not only to be fit, but recover his great performance in the way they start playing minutes."

City's squad is not looking at its best, with Vincent Kompany, Eliaquim Mangala, Joe Hart, Pablo Zabaleta and Samir Nasri all out but the return of Silva will be significant for Pellegrini.