David Silva is available for selection for the Manchester derby on Sunday after a rapid recovery from a hamstring injury.

City’s midfield maestro underwent special training sessions organised by the club’s medical staff in the past few days, the Mirror reports.

It had been feared that the Spaniard would be out of action for far longer, after reports that his hamstring injury was related to back problems.

The news will be very welcome to Roberto Mancini, for whom Sunday’s contest against city rivals United is of the highest importance.

The Italian manager knows his future at the Etihad will be in jeopardy if City lose to the Red Devils, which would see them concede a six point gap at the top of the table.

Mancini finds himself under pressure after his side’s poor Champions League campaign, as they were eliminated at the group stages of Europe’s premier competition for the second successive season.

Silva did not travel to Germany for Tuesday’s match away at Borussia Dortmund. The 1-0 loss meant City collected a measly three points from six matches, the lowest ever points total by an English club in the group stages of the tournament.

Despite their European struggles, Mancini’s men remain in the hunt for the Premier League title and would leapfrog United into top spot with a victory in Sunday’s lunchtime fixture.

That would swing the title momentum significantly back in City’s favour, who will now focus on retaining the domestic prize for a second season, while United continue to compete on several fronts.