Manuel Pellegrini lays down challenge to Jovetic

Man City v Hull: Manchester City boss Manuel Pellegrini has admitted it was a tough decision to leave Stevan Jovetic out of his European squad and has challenged the Montenegro forward to prove himself in the Premier League.

Jovetic, 25, has been left out of the Champions League squad to accommodate new signing Wilfried Bony — due to Uefa financial fair play sanctions, City are restricted to naming 16 foreign players rather than 17.

Pellegrini said: “It is always difficult to take a player out of the list, but we have restrictions this year.

“We brought Bony because I think that we need another striker, a box player, and in the position of Jovetic maybe we have some other options. It is a difficult decision but I think it was the best for the squad.

“Jovetic continues being a very important player here. Maybe if we didn’t have the restriction of financial fair play, we would not do it — we would have another place.

“But we do have the restrictions, and I think he is a good professional and we will see him play in the Premier League I hope in the same way he did at the start of the season.”

The City manager insisted this was not the end of the road for Jovetic at the club.

He added: “I don’t think that one thing has a link with the other thing. It is very important for Stevan to try to play now until the end of the season as much games as he can.”

City, who host Hull today, are five points behind leaders Chelsea, but Pellegrini believes his side are confident of repeating their last two title triumphs when they came from behind to secure the title. “When you have to play 45 points more, you can close the gap,” Pellegrini said.

For his part, Hull boss Steve Bruce has dismissed speculation his job may be under threat.

Bruce said: “I think if I was in trouble the chairman would tell me. He has backed me with a new assistant manager and a forward so if he was going to get rid of me I think he’d have done it before I brought them in.”