Manchester City's Vincent Kompany Back for the Derby, David Silva Doubtful

Manchester City boss Manuel Pellegrini delivered a mixed injury update on Friday, revealing Vincent Kompany will be fit for the forthcoming Manchester derby, but David Silva may miss out.

City face Stoke this weekend, and Pellegrini will take a squad missing five key names. However, the Sept. 22 derby encounter with neighbours United looms on the horizon, leaving Silva in a race against time, according to the club's official Twitter account:

Also on City's injury list are the names of Micah Richards, Gael Clichy and Martin Demichelis.

Captain Kompany has not featured for City since the opening game of the season, when he damaged a groin during the comfortable defeat of Newcastle.

It had been feared the injury would keep him out until October, per Jamie Jackson of the Guardian, but Pellegrini’s latest update confirms Kompany will be back for United, and he may even feature in the midweek Champions League tie against Viktoria Plzen.

Silva’s case is slightly more concerning for City, after he arrived back from international duty with a troublesome thigh. The Spaniard is almost certainly out of the European tie, and is by no means a certainty to return for United’s visit to the Etihad.

The additional absence of Clichy, sidelined by a “minor knock” according to City’s official website, was deemed “not very important” by Pellegrini. The left-back is only expected to miss the weekend trip to Stoke.

Of the options Pellegrini has left, he must decide how best to use his forwards, with Sergio Aguero, Edin Dzeko and Alvaro Negredo all vying for a starting spot at the Britannia Stadium.

Stevan Jovetic is also fit to play, while Jesus Navas is another to figure among the City boss’ options.

City are looking for their first away win of the season at Stoke, having lost 3-2 to Cardiff on their previous road trip.

Victory, coupled with the return of captain Kompany, would hand them a much-needed boost ahead of two crucial fixtures in their season.

Pellegrini will be desperate for a flying start in their Champions League opener in order to erase doubts caused by two previous group-stage exits, while the United clash has the potential—even at this early stage in the season—to prove pivotal in deciding the destination of the title.