The 23-year-old Mexican, who joined the Blues in January after paying part of his loan fee from Shakhtar Dontesk, has been out of the picture recently having started just once in three months and has not been in the squad for the past fortnight.

But boss Sven-Goran Eriksson has warned it would be a mistake to write off the attacking midfielder, who has had more problems than most since he arrived from Ukraine and who is with City until at least next Christmas.

"People forget that since he came here at the turn of the year that Nery has only been able to complete half the training sessions that we have done," reported the manager.

"I checked the figures myself this week.

"First he had a shoulder injury, then a calf problem and, added to that, when he arrived here he had not had a lot of training a nd wasn't 100 per cent match fit."

Castillo has had a turbulent nine months having signed a five-year deal at Shakhtar Donetsk last summer before falling out of favour.

He played only eight games in Ukraine after a near £16m summer transfer from Olympiacos where he had spent seven years building a big reputation as a speedy and goal-minded player.

After paying part of his own 12-month loan fee to come to City from Shakhtar, Castillo made only three starts (ndash) two against West Ham and one against Everton (ndash) before injuries struck at the double.

The Mexican is still to score for his new club but Eriksson has hinted strongly that he will get another chance to shine before the campaign closes.

"He has a lot of work to do physically but I believe in him for the future," stressed the Swede. "Fans will see him in the Premier League again at some stage this season."