Roberto Mancini has said that Dutch midfielder Nigel de Jong remains part of his plans at Manchester City.
The Blues' manager has altered City's system this season and now offers fewer spots in the defensive midfield area, meaning that De Jong has featured in just five games this campaign.
The 27-year-old has had niggling injuries to deal with but Mancini insists the Dutchman is integral to his plans.
"Nigel had too many problems when we started the season, two months off for injury," the Italian said.
"After this the squad played a different system with two strikers, two offensive players like wingers and only two midfielders.
"For this reason Nigel did not play a lot of games but he is still an important player. There is no change in this situation. Now he can play."
De Jong started yesterday's game at Sunderland but was substituted at half time.
