Manuel Pellegrini has insisted that he trusts Wilfried Bony, as Manchester City face a month without top scorer Sergio Aguero.
The Ivorian joined the club from Swansea City in January, but is yet to open his account, failing to score in seven appearances in the 2015-16 campaign.
The manager said at his pre-match press conference: "I always trust Wilfried, he's very good player. He's had very back luck here. He arrived in January, he went to the African Cup and then he had problems with his knee.
"Last season he couldn't demonstrate what he can do but now he has the responsibility. We also have Kelechi [Iheanacho], the team is the most important thing, how we are moving forward."
Aguero is not expected to return to action in the next month after sustaining a muscular injury while away with the Argentina squad.
