MANCHESTER -- Manuel Pellegrini believes James Milner's professionalism will mean he will continue giving 100 percent to Manchester City for the rest of the season, even if he has already decided to leave the Etihad Stadium.
Manager Pellegrini insisted he remains confident that Milner will agree to sign a new contract but admitted no deal is close.
The 29-year-old's current deal expires in the summer and he could leave City on a free transfer, with Liverpool definitely interested in him and several other clubs reportedly keen to sign the midfielder.
But Pellegrini said in a news conference: "I think he will he make the correct arrangement here. James is a very important player for our team.
"I suppose he will have an arrangement soon. Knowing the way he thinks we will see the same Milner with a contract or without a contract. He is a great professional."
Pellegrini believes City will have a better chance of breaking down defensive teams when new signing Wilfried Bony is available to make his debut.
City have often played 4-2-3-1 this season but Pellegrini feels Bony's arrival from Swansea will enable him to play the 4-4-2 that worked last year.
He added: "I don't know if direct is the word. It is the way to play with two strikers to give the team different things.
"We can play without strikers, we can play with one striker, we can play with two strikers. There are different ways to play.
"I think that when you have so many teams who come here with nine or 10 players behind the ball near the box, you need strikers. It's important to have different choices."