Manchester City midfielder Nigel de Jong is still a required player according to manager Roberto Mancini.
The Holland international has been unable to play regularly this season mainly because of a foot problem and more doubt has been cast over his future after he was pulled off at half-time in yesterday's 1-0 loss to Sunderland.
But Mancini insists that de Jong, who comes out of contract in the summer, is an integral member of the City squad.
"After this the squad played a different system with two strikers, two offensive players like wingers and only two midfielders.
"For this reason Nigel did not play a lot of games but he is still an important player. There is no change in this situation. Now he can play.
"I think it is normal that one player, when he doesn't play, is frustrated.
"For him it is difficult but now we are playing five games in 16 days and we need our players.""Nigel had too many problems when we started the season, two months off for injury," said the Italian.
