Jamie Redknapp: 'Samir Nasri return boosts Manchester City'

Jamie Redknapp has insisted that the return to fitness of Samir Nasri will boost Manchester City's chances of beating Barcelona in the Champions League.

The two teams will meet at the Etihad Stadium tomorrow night, before the second leg at the Camp Nou next month.

French international Nasri had spent the previous five weeks on the sidelines with a knee injury, but he came off the bench to score against Chelsea in the FA Cup at the weekend.

"Samir Nasri wouldn't win any popularity contests but Manchester City came alive when the clever little Frenchman arrived from the bench against Chelsea on Saturday evening. It was as if a light came on for them," he wrote in his column in the Daily Mail.

"David Silva came alive, too. Suddenly he had a running mate. The space created by Nasri was used by Silva and vice versa. Chelsea had double the trouble - fleet-footed artists coming at them from different angles.

"Both players will have to make an impact over the two legs if City are to progress to the last eight. [Nasri] scores goals, too. Barcelona will have noted it, he is their type of player. This tie is still against City but the return of Nasri in the nick of time gives them a fighting chance. You never know, if they get through, we might all appreciate him a bit more."

Nasri has made 29 appearances in all competitions this season, scoring six goals in the process.