Striker Bony has struggled for fitness, form and goals since his £28million move to Manchester City from Swansea in the January transfer window.

He has scored only twice in 19 appearances – mostly from the bench – and has yet to find the net this season with his hopes of making an impact hampered by manager Manuel Pellegrini's decision to play with Sergio Aguero as a lone striker this season.

But with leading scorer Aguero ruled out for a month with a hamstring injury suffered on international duty with Argentina last week, Ivory Coast star Bony will get the chance to finally kick-start his City career.