Manchester City boss Manuel Pellegrini insists Stevan Jovetic is not pining to return to Italy.

Jovetic has only made one league start, and has not played at all since October.

That has led to speculation that the player may be homesick, or have a psychological barrier preventing him from returning until he is 100 per cent. But Pellegrini has dismissed that idea.

"I always believe that a player cannot do it unless he feels he can do it," he told the Manchester Evening News.

"I will support the players. I believe in the players and I believe in Jovetic.

"He has had a very bad luck for the first half of the year and I hope the second half will be very good for him. He is trying to do everything."

Asked what the problem was, the manager replied: "It is difficult to know. I hope this will be the last one and he can start playing. He is an important player."

And asked if it was a mental issue, he replied: "I can't say that, no."