Man City's Manuel Pellegrini expecting a healthier David Silva, Sergio Aguero

MANCHESTER -- Manuel Pellegrini is hoping star men Sergio Aguero and David Silva will be at their best during the key part of the season after a campaign disrupted by injuries.

Aguero has missed 13 games with separate knee, hamstring and heel injuries, while Silva has started just half of City's games after picking up an ankle knock on international duty with Spain.

The pair have started just nine games together but are expected to be in the lineup for Saturday's game against Crystal Palace at the Etihad.

Both Aguero and Silva have been eased back into action and Pellegrini hopes that their lack of minutes on the pitch means they could be fresh going into the final few months of the season.

"I'd prefer it if they could play all the games and then see what happens in the second part of the season without those injuries," he said.

"Maybe those injuries meant they were not able to be 100 percent fit in the first games that they played. With more minutes maybe they can perform as the top players that they are.

David Silva has been hampered by an ankle knock this season.

"So it's not good but for those players they will be a lot fresher in the second half of the season."

While Pellegrini is eager to give Aguero and Silva plenty of game time, he is wary of overplaying new signings acclimatising to life in the Premier League. £55million club record signing Kevin de Bruyne is having to get used to life without the winter break he enjoyed at previous club Wolfsburg in the Bundesliga while Nicolas Otamendi has missed just two games since his debut in September.

"I'm worried not only for De Bruyne but for all the players. For the amount of games we must play," said Pellegrini.

"In January we must play nine or 10 games. Now we must play an extra game in the FA Cup. Fortunately we beat Norwich so we play again.

"I worry about all the players, that's why we are trying to make some changes in every game.

"It will be the same in February and March. We start again with the Champions League also so we'll be trying to go as far as we can in all the competitions."

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The Chilean has questioned the feasibility of competing on all fronts - but with City still chasing four separate trophies he believes the return to fitness of Sergio Aguero and David Silva could see them hit top form at just the right time.

Despite his side enduring a catalogue of injuries to key players in the first half of the campaign, City are still in contention for a clean sweep.

While the absences of Aguero, Silva and Vincent Kompany has had an impact on their title challenge - they are currently three points adrift of Premier League leaders Arsenal and Leicester - Pellegrini believes it could end up benefiting his side.

Aguero looked back to his best, scoring a wonderful solo goal in last week’s 3-0 win against Norwich, after returning from his latest injury.

Silva has also just recovered from an ankle problem.

Pellegrini believes both players should be fresh for the key stage of the season.

“They need more minutes at this moment because there are a lot of games that they’ve missed.

“I’d prefer it if they could play all the games and then see what happens in the second part of the season without those injuries. Maybe those injuries meant they were not able to be 100 percent fit in the first games that they played. With more minutes maybe they can perform as the top players that they are.

“So it’s not good, but for those players, they will be a lot fresher in the second half of the season.”

While Pellegrini is confident that Aguero and Silva will find form at the right time - he has concerns about the players who have been asked to play so often as a result of injuries throughout his squad.

“Bacary Sagna, Nicolas Otamendi and Aleksandar Kolarov have played more games and might need more rotation,” he said. “In January we must play nine or 10 games.

Manuel Pellegrini discusses Sergio Aguero's form

“Now we must play an extra game in the FA Cup. Fortunately we beat Norwich so we play again.

“I worry about all the players, that’s why we are trying to make some changes in every game.

“It will be the same in February and March. We start again with the Champions League also so we’ll be trying to go as far as we can in all the competitions.

“We will try our best (to rest players). It’s important to have a good squad and make rotations. Maybe in some games you are tempted to use the same players, but having to play so many games you are going to have very tired players before March ends.”