TheCable

Kelechi Iheanacho is convinced Manchester City can keep their title hope alive even without the injured Sergio Aguero and David Silva.

Both Aguero and Silva face weeks on the sidelines after picking up injuries during the latest international break.

Aguero damaged his hamstring and could be out for over a month while Silva injured his ankle playing for Spain.

And the Nigerian striker is determined to be ready to answer the call if Manuel Pellegrini needs him.

“It depends on what the manager says and who he chooses,” Iheanacho told the club’s official website.

“We have a lot of quality players. It depends who the manager decides to start with. He has just told me to work hard in training for now and work on the things that I don’t normally do so that when I get my chance he knows he can rely on me.

“Everyone is part of the team, but that’s why we have such a strong squad.

“Those players who aren’t normally in the team must now work hard and make sure that we get the three points in every game that we play.

“It’s a big blow to have those players missing, but we have to focus on the game and not worry about who is not playing.

“We don’t have to think about them being injured and what we’re going to do. We are here to work together so we must come in, get the games, do very well and make them proud.

“We also have Vincent Kompany back now and he pushes the team along and gets everyone going. He’s a great captain and everyone is happy to have him back.”

The Nigerian youngster announced his arrival on the big stage with a last-minute winner against Crystal Palace but then missed several games through injury before returning against Newcastle United.

And in his first season since being promoted to City’s first team squad, Iheanacho is aiming for silverware.

But he says triumph in Europe is the ultimate goal.

“We have a great team with great players in the squad,” he said.

“We hope to achieve more. We need to work hard in every game to achieve more. We have the Premier League, the cup games and the Champions League so we have to work hard and see if we can win trophies this season.

“Every trophy is important, but the Champions League is most important. If we get there and we get the trophy it will be a great joy for the team and the management.

“We have started really well this season. The first five games in the Premier League were pretty good but we lost a few games after that and our form hasn’t been as good. I think we are going to improve a lot and hopefully we can pick up where we left off against Newcastle when we play Bournemouth.

“We are top of the table now, but I think we will do even better so if we keep playing well we will stay top for a long time and maybe win the Premier League if we work hard together, though obviously that’s a long way off.”