Manuel Pellegrini has revealed that loanee Frank Lampard wants to stay at Manchester City beyond next month.
The former Chelsea midfielder joined the Premier League champions for the first half of this season after completing a move to newly-formed MLS side New York City FC in the summer, as they are not due to start their pre-season training until the New Year.
However, the Citizens manager told reporters: "We know exactly what we must do. Frank wants to stay, we want to keep him. Now we must resolve the problem with New York City and the MLS.
"The decision about Frank can have nothing to do with the injuries. [Edin] Dzeko could be fit and [Sergio] Aguero and it would be the decision of Lampard.
"He will not stay with us because we have injured strikers. He'll stay with us because he us a very important player."
Lampard scored the only goal in City's 1-0 win over Leicester City in the Premier League on Saturday.
Sian Cowper
