An early return to fitness for Manchester City star Samir Nasri this season might mean teenage striker Kelechi Iheanacho waiting until next season for a chance of a taste of Champions League action.
The French midfielder has not played for City since October after injuring himself in training.
Nasri recently revealed that he had to have almost 100 stitches in his thigh following a freak training ground injury and had expected to be out for between four and six months.
The Frenchman has given Manuel Pellegrini a boost by announcing that he could be back with the squad during the international break in March although this still means he will miss both legs of City’s Champions League Round of 16 ties against Dynamo Kiev.
The first leg is in Kiev on February 24 with the return leg at the Etihad on March 15.
It had been expected that City would name Kelechi Iheanacho in the revised Champions League squad for the knockout phase on the assumption that Nasri would miss too much of the rest of the campaign.
Iheanacho was left out of the Champions League squad submitted to UEFA in September because City had already reached the strict 17 player quota limit on non-homegrown players.
And despite only have two senior strikers in the current Champions League squad, Pellegrini was still making his mind up on replacing Nasri with Iheanacho.
Pellegrini admitted: “I haven’t decided yet but we are thinking about that.
“We must talk to the doctor one day before we send the new list for the Champions League and then decide.”
Being named in the Champions League squad in place of Nasri would be a strong sign of backing for the young Nigerian striker who has scored five goals for City this season and has been urged by his manager to grasp every chance when they come.
Pellegrini said: “Every time young players have the chance it’s important they take that chance and show why the manager has done it.”
The transfer window closes on Monday February 1 at 11pm and City must submit their revised Champions League squad list by February 2.