Manchester City may be able to call upon the services of Yaya Toure and new signing Wilfried Bony for next weekend's trip to league leaders Chelsea.
The duo are currently with the Ivory Coast at the Africa Cup of Nations, where they have drawn their opening two group encounters.
Were they to lose to Cameroon on Wednesday, they will be eliminated from the tournament, which means that both Toure and Bony could return to England as early as Thursday.
Champions City do not play at Stamford Bridge until Saturday evening, perhaps leaving the Ivorian pair with enough time to integrate back into the squad.
Manuel Pellegrini's men will go into the clash in London five points adrift of their hosts.
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