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It is over a year since Bersant Celina first made the first-team bench at Manchester City, but only recently has the door he has been knocking on begun to open.

Three weeks ago the midfielder was ready for a loan move, having discussed with Simon Davies that he was ready for first-team football but far back in a queue of more senior players at the Etihad.

"I feel ready but obviously we're at one of the biggest clubs in the world," he told M.E.N Sport. "It's always hard to get in the team but if I get the chance then I am ready.

"Even if I'm ready here I can't just go in and take the place of one of the best players in the world."

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There was plenty of interest, but City rebutted the offers.

Three days later, Kevin De Bruyne was sidelined until April. A week after that, Jesus Navas came off against Sunderland and is yet to return. Samir Nasri is a long-term absentee, Patrick Roberts has moved to Celtic, Manu Garcia has been injured and no attacking midfielders in any kind of form.

In that vacuum, Celina has nudged his way forward.

The 19-year-old was disappointed not to score on his FA Cup debut at Norwich but made up for that on his first league appearance, coming off the bench to set up Sergio Aguero's goal and fronting up for the TV cameras afterwards.

Showing to thousands that he can contribute to the first team has shored up the faith shown in him in the January window. The club have indicated talks of a long-term contract are premature but it is believed a new deal is in the pipeline and the player's absence from the EDS squad at Leicester on Monday night is another sign of his elevation at City, with first-team training for the week ahead seen as the priority.

Celina is the most likely teenager to join Kelechi Iheanacho in the starting lineup at Stamford Bridge if Manuel Pellegrini carries out his threat to rest his stars for the Champions League game next Wednesday.

"What I would say from my own career and from this career for the boys is whatever way the opportunity comes up you need to grab it. That's the key thing," said EDS coach Davies.

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"Some may travel to Chelsea so this is a really important time for all of them. It's fantastic that they're getting their opportunity. The manager is looking at them. If and when the opportunity comes they've got to take it because it's one of the best teams in England and Europe and it's not easy to get in."

At 19, Celina still has a long way to go to make that breakthrough.

But his ability and potential have been noticed at the club, and if he can bypass a loan move and go straight into the senior squad it will be a considerable step towards it.