Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini has confirmed that Kelechi Iheanacho will be drafted into his Champions League squad for the knockout stages of the competition.
The 19-year-old striker has played a bit-part role for the Citizens so far this term, but bagged his first senior hat-trick in the FA Cup victory over Aston Villa on Saturday to bring his season's tally to eight goals.
Iheanacho missed out on a spot in the initial 25-man squad, but will now replace the injured Samir Nasri ahead of City's meeting with Dynamo Kiev in the last 16.
"I have decided and I have told Samir Nasri I will take him out of the Champions League list because he needs at least two months more to be fit," Pellegrini told reporters.
"We need Kelechi now because [Wilfried] Bony is also injured and we cannot take the risk that something happens with [Sergio Aguero] and we don't have a striker for the round of 16. So, Kelechi will be in the Champions League."
Pellegrini also confirmed at his press conference that he will be leaving the club at the end of the season, with Pep Guardiola coming in to replace him at the Etihad Stadium.
Barney Corkhill
