Mancini said: “Patrick is not fit yet, but I think it is better for us and for him to go when he is ready. I think it will be one week or 10 days. It’s better that we don’t risk him, though, because we want Patrick to play until the end of the season.

“When Patrick comes back and plays I want him to play for 20 games. That’s what is important for us.”

With City due to face Manchester United in the Carling Cup semi-final first-leg at Eastlands on Tuesday evening, injuries are beginning to mount for Mancini. Carlos Tevez is expected to overcome a hamstring problem to face his former club, but Stephen Ireland and Roque Santa Cruz will not be fit to play.

Mancini said: “I think Santa Cruz will be out for one month maybe with his calf injury and we can recall Stephen Ireland only for the bench because he is not ready to play the whole game.