Manuel Pellegrini is optimistic Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany can return from injury in Tuesday's clash with Newcastle United.
Kompany has been absent since injuring a calf muscle in last month's Champions League victory over Dynamo Kiev and will miss Saturday's trip to Chelsea.
City boss Pellegrini is more hopeful, however, over the Belgium international's participation against the struggling Magpies in midweek.
He told a news conference: "Kompany is working but he’s not in the squad list for tomorrow. I hope he will play on Tuesday."
"Silva is out. Sterling has started working and hopefully he'll be ready for Tuesday. All the other players are fit," he said.
"I think Silva will manage the situation until the end of the season, but it's difficult for him to play two games in a row in quick succession, he has pain in his ankle.”
Pellegrini added: "Yaya, when 100 per cent fit, is an important player and can make a difference starting or playing 30 minutes."
"He's very important for me. If you have all your players 100 per cent fit it's better," said Pellegrini. "For different reasons we couldn't have that and when Kevin returned he demonstrated how important he was.
"He's a young player and it depends how he improves. He keeps the ball well and he has goals in him. I think we'll see him improving.
"Kevin is very professional he wants to reach the top with City.”
