Manchester City hope to have David Silva available for their Champions League tie against Bayern Munich next week.

The Spanish playmaker has not played for City since the 2-0 victory over Hull at the end of August after being sent home from international duty with a thigh strain at the beginning of September.

Manager Manuel Pellegrini does not expect to have the Spaniard fit and ready to take on Aston Villa at Villa Park on Saturday afternoon, but is hopeful that Silva can return in time to face Bayern Munich in an eagerly-anticipated Champions League group game on Wednesday.

Pellegrini said: "We will see in the next days what happens with David Silva. The doctor can say better than me what will happen.

"For next Saturday, I don't think he can play. Maybe for the next game in the Champions League, he can play."