Why Nigeria youth international was dropped from Manchester City UCL squad

Despite just being officially promoted to the first team of , Nigeria youth international, Kelechi Iheanacho has not been included in the squad for the UEFA Champions League group stage.

The 18-year-old had a fantastic outing for in pre-season, scoring in the game against FC Roma and also played in a friendly against Real Madrid.

In the game against Stuttgart, Iheanacho came on at half time to replace Wilfried Bony and scored in the 84th minute of the match.

Read: Kelechi Iheanacho promoted to Manchester City first team

His impressive performance seems to have convinced head coach Manuel Pellegrini  that  he can be part of his first team squad as they look to regain the English Premier League title from Chelsea.

He made a brief substitute appearance in City's home win against Watford over the weekend but was surprising left out their Champions League squad group stage.

Read: Kelechi Iheanacho shines for City in pre-season game

The reason for dropping Iheanacho is because the City list already includes the maximum 17 foreign players.

City can supplement their squad from a 'B' list of Under 21 players but Iheanacho, who joined the club last year, does not qualify for that category until he has been at the club two years.

Read: Kelechi Iheanacho battles Cristiano Ronaldo

Manchester City UEFA Champions League Squad 2015/16

Joe Hart, Willy Caballero, Bacary Sagna, Pablo Zabaleta, Gael Clichy, Aleksandar Kolarov, Vincent Kompany, Eliaquim Mangala, Martín Demichelis, Nicolás Otamendi, Fernandinho, Fernando, Kevin de Bruyne, Yaya Toure, Fabien Delph, Samir Nasri, David Silva, Jesus Navas, Raheem Sterling, Sergio Aguero, Wilfried Bony

Watch this Kelechi Iheanacho video, below: