David Silva is being held back by Manchester City to ensure he is fit for their make-or-break Champions League tie with Ajax next week.

Silva is already fit enough to return for City having missed their last three games with a hamstring strain picked up on international duty.

The little playmaker suffered the injury during Spain’s 1-1 World Cup qualifier draw against France in Madrid on October 16.

Silva lasted just 12 minutes during that game and has undergone intensive treatment since in a bid to return as quickly as possible.

Although he is now training again and could make the bench for City’s trip to West Ham on Saturday, he will not be rushed back.

Manager Roberto Mancini wants Silva ready for Tuesday’s home game against Ajax, which City must win to stand any chance of making the last 16.

City are currently bottom of Group D with just a solitary point after losing away to Real Madrid and to Ajax in Amsterdam, and snatching a draw after being thoroughly outplayed by Borussia Dortmund.

Silva’s absence has been keenly felt over their past three games, and Mancini needs his most creative player fully fit against the Dutch champions.

Ain't David's day: Mancini will make Silva wait until the Ajax match (
Image:
Alex Livesey)

The Spaniard's last appearance for City was in the Premier League on October 6, when Mancini’s men beat Sunderland 3-0 at Eastlands.

The 26-year-old stayed in Spain for treatment to his injured hamstring but is back in full training with the City squad and ready to return.

Meanwhile, City captain Vincent Kompany has said they are determined to win their remaining group games and prove they AREN'T out of their depth in the Champions League.

Kompany said: “Sometimes the way to look at it is not to look at the results.

“Last season when we were eight points down [in the title race] with six games to go.

“The change in attitude was that we said to ourselves, ‘OK, we’re not doing it for the points any more or to win the league, we’re doing it for our own pride, because we know we’re better than what we’ve shown for the last couple of weeks.’

“It’s the same now. It’s not about us winning three games to get through, but about showing to ourselves that we belong there and then we will see what happens.

Force 10: Kompany wants maximum points from City's remaining group games (
Image:
Alex Livesey)

“City will be in the Champions League many, many more times and will get their chance but, for now, we have to show that we deserve to be in the Champions League.”

Although Micah Richards will be out of action for up to four months after knee surgery, City will welcome back fit-again Pablo Zabaleta at right-back against West Ham.

Maicon and Aleksandar Kolarov remain sidelined with ankle injuries, while Jack Rodwell is still struggling with a hamstring problem.

Mancini is optimistic midfielder Javi Garcia, who has missed City’s last four matches with a thigh injury, will be available to face Ajax.