Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini has hinted further that Frank Lampard is still likely to be in his squad next month.

Former England midfielder Lampard has made a big impact at the Etihad Stadium since signing on loan from sister club New York City and is expected to extend his stay with the English champions.

The 36-year-old’s initial spell is due to expire at the end of this month but Pellegrini has made clear his desire to keep the player.

Lampard has also indicated a willingness to stay and Pellegrini said earlier this week that he expected a decision within the “next days”.

Now the Chilean has revealed that having Lampard as potential cover for Yaya Toure during the African Nations Cup, which starts on January 17, was always part of the plan.

“One of the reasons we asked him to play here was because we knew Yaya would be leaving us to go to the African Cup of Nations,” Pellegrini said.

It remains to be seen, however, whether Pellegrini will get his wish for Lampard to stay until the end of the season.

The former Chelsea midfielder is a key part of City’s bold strategy in New York and Pellegrini’s American counterparts want him available for the start of the Major League Soccer season in March.

Negotiations are therefore not straightforward and appear to be taking time, but Pellegrini claims any perceived delay is not an issue.

He said: “The reason (it is taking so long) is not important... the important thing is that he stays here. Yes I’m confident he’ll stay but I can’t say 100 per cent because it doesn’t depend just on me.

“It’s not so easy because Frank is a New York City player. He’s only on loan until December so we must respect the other people.”