Manchester City forward Wilfried Bony is keen to make an immediate impact if he is handed his debut against Newcastle on Saturday.

The 26-year-old joined the Citizens from Swansea in January in a deal that could rise to £28million, but he has yet to make an appearance for Manuel Pellegrini’s side after immediately heading off to Equatorial Guinea to represent Ivory Coast in their successful African Cup of Nations campaign.

The frontman only began training with his new team-mates at the start of this week but he is already pushing for a place in the starting line-up ahead of Saturday evening’s encounter with the Magpies.

The Ivorian is likely to vie with Edin Dzeko and Stevan Jovetic for a regular place in the Sky Blues’ starting 11 alongside top scorer Sergio Aguero, and the former Vitesse player is realistic about his chances of starting against the Geordies.

He said: “It’s not easy because I’ve just arrived from Africa and I will have had five days of training before we play Newcastle. I have to take it step by step and wait for the right opportunity to present itself.”

The striker, who has bagged nine goals already this campaign with the Swans, has a good record against the north-east club, scoring three times in two appearances, but expects a tough test against John Carver’s side.

He continued: “If I am needed, I have a good record against Newcastle and I’ve scored three goals in two games against them. They are a good side and are strong at the back but they are coming to our stadium and we need to win this game.”

City are currently seven points behind leaders Chelsea in the Premier League table and are priced 1.25 in the match betting to secure victory on Saturday. Newcastle are quoted 10.64, with the draw on offer at 5.68.