Man City manager Pellegrini could rejoin squad in HK

DURBAN, South Africa (AFP) – Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini could rejoin the squad in Hong Kong on Tuesday according to assistant manager Brian Kidd.

Pellegrini left City's pre-season training camp in South Africa and returned to his homeland of Chile due to a personal issue, leaving Kidd in charge for Thursday's 2-1 defeat in a pre-season friendly against AmaZula.

The reason for the former Malaga coach's absence remains unclear but Kidd is hopeful that Pellegrini will be back with his players when they continue their tour in Asia.

"He had to go back to Chile for personal reasons and he will hopefully be in Hong Kong on Tuesday," Kidd said.

"You want the boss here but he prepared the team well for this and (assistant manager) Reuben Cousillas and the coaches have been superb since they've been here. The attention to detail has been terrific."

City are close to signing both Sevilla striker Alvaro Negredo, who had a medical on Thursday, and Montenegro forward Stevan Jovetic from Fiorentina, who claimed on Thursday that a fee had been agreed.

Kidd insisted no deals have been completed but admits that City require more attacking options after selling Mario Balotelli and Carlos Tevez to AC Milan and Juventus respectively since the turn of the year.

"I'm not quite sure how far we are down the road with Negredo. It's quite close. We've not heard wither he's definitely signed but we're in the market for a couple of strikers," Kidd said.

"With Carlos and Mario going we're two short and when you're going for the Premier League and you're in the Champions League you need four strikers."

Pellegrini took charge of his players for the first time last Monday and Kidd, who worked under previous manager Roberto Mancini and had a spell in caretaker charge after the Italian was sacked, has been impressed by the Chilean.

"The boss has only been there two weeks but he's worked tremendously," Kidd said. "He takes all the sessions and has got a wonderful backroom staff with him."

City's defeat to AmaZulu followed the 2-0 loss to Supersport United on Sunday and they will hope for better results when they depart for Hong Kong on Sunday.

Argentina internationals Sergio Aguero and Pablo Zabaleta only linked up with the squad this week, while Spain's David Silva and new signing Jesus Navas will not start training until next week after being given an extended break following the Confederations Cup.

Despite suffering two defeats from their two matches so far, Kidd feels City are on course for the start of the Premier League season.

"The boys have worked really well and the Premier League is what we've been building up to," he said.

"We've had two good games against good opposition. The AmaZulu game was a terrific workout and the Premier League is the most important thing.

"It's a work in progress but there's been confidence every day in training and it's been a good training camp and two excellent games."