Champions League: David Silva could return for Manchester City against Bayern Munich

The Spaniard has missed the last five games

Manchester City midfielder David Silva (GETTY IMAGES)

Manchester City playmaker David Silva is contention to return against Bayern Munich in the Champions League on Wednesday.

The Spain international has missed five games since suffering a thigh injury on international duty.

Striker Sergio Aguero, not risked in Saturday's Barclays Premier League defeat at Aston Villa due to a minor knock, is also likely to feature in the glamour Group D clash at the Etihad Stadium.

Manager Manuel Pellegrini said: "David is in the squad. I think he can at least play some minutes. Sergio is fit and he is also on the list."

Pellegrini wants his players to respond after their disappointment at Villa Park, where they surrendered a 2-1 lead to lose 3-2.

The result ended a run of three successive wins in which City had scored 12 goals and started to look like the serious force they aspire to be.

Pellegrini said: "Of course, I always expect a big response from the players.

"We respect the Champions League very well and it is very important for us to continue against the most difficult team in the group.

"I am sure we will see a very high performance tomorrow."

City opened their campaign with a comfortable 3-0 win over Viktoria Plzen a fortnight ago.

The challenge from Pep Guardiola's group favourites will be much different but Pellegrini is not changing his mentality and will set out with victory in mind.

He said: "For me it was very important to win the first three points against Viktoria Plzen.

"Now the second thing is to try to win our points at home.

"Bayern is a very strong team but we're also in a good moment and hopefully we can get the three points here.

"We never think about a draw. If we cannot win it's better to draw than lose but we're not going to go into the pitch thinking of a draw against Bayern.

"From the first minute we will go for three points."

PA