Kompany, Dzeko Return, but Sergio Aguero Fitness Is Biggest Man City Positive

Manuel Pellegrini, the Manchester City manager, has confirmed that Sergio Aguero, Vincent Kompany and Edin Dzeko are all back from their respective injuries and could figure in Saturday’s match with Everton at Goodison Park.

It’s a significant boost for City ahead of a tough test against Roberto Martinez’s side. Having won 11 of their last 12 games, a run which has seen them progress in Europe and slash Chelsea’s lead at the top of the Premier League, the need to continue their excellent form is clear, especially given the strength of the challenge posed by the west London side.

City are set to embark on a run of three crucial games—Everton (a), Arsenal (h) and Chelsea (a)—which could go a long way in determining their title chances.

Aguero, who has missed the last seven matches, scored 19 goals in 21 games before he injured his knee in an unfortunate fall against Everton in early December and brings an edge to the City attack they have been lacking in recent weeks.

They have done well in his absence—winning six and drawing one, scoring 16 goals and making a mockery of the “one-man team” claims that were being circulated prior to his injury—but his potency in front of goal means his return is a welcome one.

Aguero’s ability to create a yard of space for himself and produce a moment of goalscoring magic is unparalleled in the Premier League, and it offers Pellegrini of the option of playing him as a lone frontman, with the peerless David Silva just behind in a free role.

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The imminent arrival of Wilfried Bony may change things, but right now, that remains City’s best option.

The Bony deal, although not done, appears close, with Pellegrini saying he took the opportunity to see whether his side needed an additional striker after Alvaro Negredo was sold and subsequently made a decision to add further attacking options.

“We are going to replace Alvaro Negredo because it was the decision that we took in the moment we sold him,” he said.

“We decided to see in December if we needed another striker. We need another striker, so we are going to find which is the best player to bring in.”

With Dzeko also recovering from his calf injury, City now have options up front again, something they didn't had throughout the festive period when, for the most part, they operated with James Milner as a striker.

Dzeko scored two superb goals in last season's 3-2 win away at Everton, a result which edged City tantalisingly close to the title, and he will be keen to make his return there after a four-week absence.

City are also boosted by the return of Kompany, their captain and leader. Eliaquim Mangala has flourished in his absence, and Martin Demichelis has been the club’s best defender this season, meaning Kompany’s absence hasn’t been quite as keenly felt as has it has been in the past. However, his leadership brings a steadying influence that gives City a more composed look at the back.

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All of a sudden, City look to have options all over the pitch after a Christmas period that stretched their squad to its limit.

Pellegrini praised his squad for their ability to win without some of their biggest names:

"

I always trust [the team] to have a strong second part of the season. We have a squad so that squad has a very good first part of the season because with so many injuries and especially in the same position. 

We changed a lot of things and always the squad has the correct answer for different games.

That, for me, is a thing. I am proud of the squad I manage because we don’t depend just on one or two names.

"

Given the squad is returning to good health ahead of some vital games, City could extend their unbeaten run, which stands at 13 games, to something close to the 18-game sequence they managed last season.

With Chelsea all of a sudden looking nervously over their shoulder and City back to something close to full strength, the title race looks set to be a close affair.

Rob Pollard is Bleacher Report's lead Manchester City correspondent and will be following the club from a Manchester base throughout the 2014-15 season. All quotes were obtained first-hand unless otherwise noted. Follow him on Twitter: @RobPollard.