Toure and Bony's Return Would Be Huge Boost for Man City Ahead of Chelsea Test

Manchester City could be set to line up with Yaya Toure and Wilfried Bony in their side when they take on Chelsea this weekend, if the Ivory Coast lose to Cameroon on Wednesday and exit the Africa Cup of Nations tournament in Equatorial Guinea.

Group D is finely poised with each side locked on two points going into the final round of matches, meaning the Ivory Coast’s involvement in the tournament hangs in the balance.

It would be a significant fillip for City if the two players were to return in time for what looks like their most important match of the season so far. Fatigue would appear to be the main issue, given the travelling involved in a return from Africa, but Manuel Pellegrini would surely want both players involved, regardless of their exertions.

Jon Super/Associated Press

City’s form has been poor of late, and a defeat at Stamford Bridge would see Chelsea move eight points clear of Pellegrini’s men for the second time this season. Jose Mourinho, a man famed for his ability to remain in front during title races, is unlikely to relinquish such a gap twice in the same campaign.

Pellegrini’s side need a spark from somewhere. Their second-half display against Middlesbrough on Saturday was among their most inept in recent times, and their return of two wins in their last six matches isn’t good enough.

With their season in danger of fizzling out in somewhat underwhelming fashion, this weekend’s top-of-the-table clash with Chelsea provides an opportunity to spark their campaign back to life.

City haven’t won a league game without Toure in the side since April, and his form prior to leaving for the AFCON was sensational, having scored six goals in nine games before his departure.

After a difficult start to the season, he has once again emerged as one of City’s key players, dictating proceedings from midfield with his passing and powerful running. He remains probably the most unique midfielder in world football, and City are a far better side with him playing.

Meanwhile, the arrival of Bony is a tantilising one. He has proven during an 18-month spell with Swansea that he is capable of scoring goals and dominating defences in the Premier League, and he deserves his chance at a side with bigger ambitions.

In theory, he is the perfect foil for Sergio Aguero, a player struggling to recapture the sensational form he showed prior to a recent knee injury. Bony has a well-rounded game. He's capable of playing as a target man and using his physicality to hold the ball up, but also possesses technical quality and a wonderful understanding of the game.

Jon Super/Associated Press

Pellegrini will be hopeful he can add goals and belief to a strike force that has struggled somewhat in recent weeks, and Bony will be eager to impress and start repaying the faith shown in him by the club, who spent an initial £25 million to bring him to the Etihad.

Chelsea face Liverpool in the League Cup on Tuesday, while City will enjoy a full week’s rest before Saturday’s showdown. Having played out a 1-1 draw with Liverpool in their semi-final first leg last week, a full-strength Chelsea side will likely appear in the return leg to try and ensure safe passage into the final.

How significant that will prove to be remains to be seen, but it’s clear that City will fancy their chances of getting a positive result on Saturday with their two Ivorians in the side.

You can be sure City fans across the world will be supporting Cameroon on Wednesday.

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 are obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted. Follow him on Twitter: @RobPollard