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The arrival of Wilfried Bony is a major boost to City’s hunt for trophies.

But for Manuel Pellegrini, it also brings something of a headache, as he now has to decide who gets the axe from his Champions League squad.

The problem stems from the restrictions placed on the Blues by Uefa, as punishment for breaking financial fair play rules.

City were forced to enter this season’s competition with a squad of 21 players aged over 21, rather than the normal 25.

The squad can contain a maximum of 16 foreign-trained players and four English-trained players and has to have one City-trained player – at present Dedryck Boyata.

The restrictions were one reason why Alvaro Negredo was allowed to leave in the summer – he was out of form, was interested in moving back to Spain, and Valencia came up with a loan move that guaranteed the Blues would get £25million for him.

That meant Pellegrini did not have to drop anyone from his European squad – but with Bony coming in, he faces that dilemma ahead of the February 3 deadline for submitting new Champions League squads.

The departure of Matija Nastasic, who has moved to Schalke on loan for the rest of the season, has no bearing on the matter as he qualified as an under-21 player, who do not count in squad numbers.

So, who gets the chop?

As soon as it became clear Bony would join City in a £25million deal, eyes turned towards Stevan Jovetic as the most vulnerable player.

Indeed, it sparked speculation that the Montenegrin would be sold in this transfer window – and if a club came up with a fee of around £25million, that could yet happen.

But, barring an irresistible offer, Pellegrini wants four strikers for the rest of the season. That was one of the motivations for signing Bony in the first place, so to ship one out after bringing one in would not make a great deal of sense.

But there is very little leeway. At least 17 of the 21 players in the current squad are untouchable, either because they are at the heart of Pellegrini’s team or because they fill the English-trained and club-trained quota.

The English-trained players are Frank Lampard, James Milner, Joe Hart and Gael Clichy and the one spot for a club-trained player is taken by Boyata.

Jose Angel Pozo, who has already been on the bench for a Champions League game, heads a long list of under-21 players who are available to play at 24 hours notice.

Pellegrini will leave his final decision on which player to leave out until the last moment, as a long-term injury, dramatic loss of form or dramatic improvement in form, could change things in the next fortnight.

But here are the players we think are vulnerable at the moment.

WILLY CABALLERO

Given that Joe Hart is still undisputed number one, has never been suspended, and hasn’t missed a game through injury in six years, might be a risk worth taking. Back-up for Hart would be youngsters Ian Lawlor and Angus Gunn.

BACARY SAGNA

Again, the almost indestructible Pablo Zabaleta is first choice, and with Boyata able to play there, Sagna will warrant a thought from Pellegrini.

But he WAS picked for both games against Bayern Munich, so he is likely to remain.

ALEKSANDAR KOLAROV

The fact that Clichy is untouchable, as an English-trained player, Mangala can also play left back, and 18-year-old Angelino waits in the wings, makes Kolarov a possibility.

He is also behind Clichy in the pecking order at the moment.

STEVAN JOVETIC

Pellegrini is likely to keep playing one striker in Europe, so having four in such a tight squad is extravagant.

Aguero is untouchable, Dzeko in for his goals record, and Bony brings another option. Jovetic’s injury record also heavily counts against him.