Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini has revealed that Wilfried Bony has been handed a wonderful chance to stake his claim for a regular spot in the starting lineup.

City were handed a blow after star striker Sergio Aguero suffered an injury during international duty which has ruled him out for four weeks but with Bony waiting in the wings, the loss of the Argentine star was not felt against Bournemouth.

Bony managed a fine brace against the Cherries and now Pellegrini has challenged the Ivorian to further show his worth during the absence of Aguero.

Ahead of Wednesday night's Champions League meeting with Sevilla, the Chilean said: "Bony can play with or without Aguero. He can line up with him. It doesn't have to be that Aguero is missing for Bony to play. For various reasons I have not been able to line them up together in the past. We brought him here because he is a very important player.

"He has a chance to play because he is the only forward we have at the moment. Kelechi is not in the Champions League squad so it is his moment, his chance to show what he has got."