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Manchester City could get a triple boost next week just as they step up their pursuit of honours.

Blues boss Manuel Pellegrini is hoping to have Stevan Jovetic, Martin Demichelis and Micah Richards back in full training – and Sergio Aguero is not too far behind.

Jovetic had an outside chance of returning from his latest leg muscle injury for Saturday’s FA Cup third round tie at Blackburn, but he is unlikely to be risked.

“I don’t think he will be back against Blackburn but by next week he will be fit, also Martin Demichelis and Micah Richards, then we will see how many days Sergio Aguero must be out,” said Pellegrini, who will welcome back David Silva from suspension for the lunchtime kick off at Ewood Park.

Demichelis’ return may help Joleon Lescott find an exit route from the club, although he will not be loaned despite interest from Spurs, Newcastle and Monaco.

And City will only sell him if they get a reasonable offer, and are sure they are well covered in central defence.

Pellegrini now believes that his insistence on sticking to his blueprint for his team’s playing style is now paying dividends, with City improving as a team and as individuals under his tutelage.

“We always try to improve all of the players,” said Pellegrini. “Firstly it is important to improve as a team, but if you want to improve as a team you need to improve the individual performances of the players.

“That is why, at the start of the season when I said we would continue to play in the same way, it was because we were trying to find a way to play. It was not just a way of playing away at Cardiff.

“We have continued to play the same way and all of the players have improved their performance.

“We try to work every day. We can’t work often now because we play every three days, but it is important to analyse the games and talk to the players about areas where we must improve.”