Manchester City hopeful of quicker Samir Nasri return

Manuel Pellegrini is hoping that Samir Nasri will return from injury sooner than expected ahead of beginning to run again.

The Frenchman was ruled out for up to eight weeks after suffering a knee injury from a Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa challenge during City's 2-0 win at Newcastle United on January 12, but Pellegrini is optimistic that Nasri could return within a month.

"Next week Samir will start running and in two or three weeks he will be fit," Pellegrini said during his press conference.

City travel to White Hart Lane tonight to face Tottenham Hotspur.