Sunderland must fear fit-again Man City star

David Silva is challenged by Sunderland's Billy Jones

The Spanish star has not been 100 per cent fit lately.

But Manchester City boss Manuel Pellegrini believes Silva will soon return to top form.

City visit Sunderland next Tuesday - but before that play Everton in the Capital One Cup semi-final second leg tonight, and also Aston Villa in the FA Cup on Saturday.

Silva has played 13 games since returning from a month-long lay-off with an ankle injury in November but has not yet rediscovered his best.

Pellegrini has now revealed the 30-year-old has also been hampered by another problem in recent weeks, providing further reason why he was rested for the FA Cup third-round win at Norwich on January 9.

Pellegrini said: “David has had different injuries during the season, that’s why I didn’t want him to play two games that were very near (together).

“It was not only the ankle. He started with that and one or two weeks before the game against Everton he had a muscle injury that disturbed him a lot.

“But now he is feeling better so I hope he will finish the season in his best performance.

“Every day he is improving. Maybe he’s not 100 per cent but I hope that he will return soon to be absolutely fit.”