Mario Balotelli is set to return to action on Thursday after serving his suspension when Manchester City travel to take on holders FC Porto in the Europa League.
The Italian striker has missed City’s last four games but will play in Portugal in a competition Roberto Mancini’s side are 9/2 with bookmaker to win.
City want the 21-year-old to get some much-needed match time before the business of trying to win the Premier League title resumes against Blackburn Rovers the following week.
After beating Aston Villa on Sunday, City are now 4/7 to win the Premier League title this season.
The returning Toure brothers, Kolo and Yaya, will not feature in Portugal following their heartbreak after losing in the final of the Africa Cup of Nations to Zambia on Sunday.