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Kelechi Iheanacho could make his senior Manchester City debut on Sunday.

The young Nigerian was expected to join up with his international team-mates earlier this month, but will now not do so until after the Southampton game.

Manuel Pellegrini rates the striker highly and an end-of-season game with nothing resting on it for the hosts would be a perfect opportunity to give him some minutes.

A first competitive appearance for the Blues would cap an eventful year for Iheanacho.

The 18-year-old first caught the eye on City's 2014 summer tour. A few appearances in the US for the Blues was enough for Pellegrini to call him "a very important player for us in the future".

"It depends on the way he takes this profession, but I think he’s a good talent," he added.

Problems with work permits and injuries delayed his impact at the club, but Iheanacho has shown signs of his potential in recent months.

He scored in the first ten minutes of the second leg of the FA Youth Cup final, and his goal against Porto won the Premier League International Cup for City EDS.

Pellegrini has been a noticeable presence at youth team games lately, something which cannot be said for the whole season.

And those close to the player have played down the chance of him going out on loan, suggesting he could be included in the manager's first team planning for the next campaign as City look to reclaim the Premier League title.

A representative said last week: "Manchester City will not send him on loan. Plan A, B and C is for him to remain with the club next season."

Along with Blues defender Chidiebere Nwakali, Iheanacho has been named in the Nigeria squad for the Under-20 World Cup in New Zealand, with their first game coming against Brazil on June 1.

The teenager was originally planned to meet up with his international team-mates for a training camp in Germany, but will now fly straight to New Zealand.

Being included by Pellegrini against Southampton would complete a dream for the striker.

"I hope he sees good qualities in me and I hope I will be in the first team soon." he told M.E.N Sport this month.

Meanwhile, the Blues will head off for a whistle-stop tour of North America next week.

The squad will play games in Toronto and Houston on consecutive days and then stop off in New York before heading home.

Midfielder Kean Bryan will have been among the young players hoping to be involved, but an injury picked up against Southampton U21s has set him back.

The Under-19s captain tweeted on Wednesday: "Grade 3 ligament tear in my ankle, absolutely gutted .. Nothing worse. Whole summer ruined."