The players arrived back in the early hours of the morning after going down 2-0 in the first leg of the Europa League last-16 tie.

It leaves City with a difficult task in the return match next Thursday at Eastlands.

But before then they have the small matter of trying to secure a place in the semi-finals of the FA Cup for the first time in 30 years when they face Reading on Sunday.

De Jong said: "We can come back after a defeat like this. We have to keep our heads high, try to keep performing.

"The Reading game is a chance to lift our confidence for the second leg and the other games ahead.

"We are so close to Wembley. There's no doubt that it's a really good opportunity for us to reach the last four.

"I don't think the trip back from Kiev will affect us. We're not little kids any more.

"We've all got experience of how to handle this schedule and make sure we are right and ready for them on Sunday. I am sure I will be okay."

De Jong reckons the match in the former Soviet state will prove a good learning process for City, whose only threat came with the score at 1-0 when Yaya Toure saw his shot turned away by the goalkeeper.

"We have a lot of individual qualities in the team but it takes time to get together as a team," De Jong said.

However he is convinced City have enough about them to reach the last eight of the competition.

"You have to be confident. They were at home with their 12th man and now we hope to get our 12th man, our fans, to help us win the second game," said the midfielder, who could return to the team after an ankle injury.

"They were a good team and were waiting for the counters. They played defensively and waited while we played our game." Defender Pablo Zabaleta felt City were weary after a punishing schedule of matches at home and abroad.

He said: "To be 2-0 down makes it difficult for the second leg, but we will be at home so we have to keep our heads up.

"We conceded two silly goals, but it was a really tough game, the pitch was so hard.

"We looked tired because we have had so many games in a very short period but we aren't looking for excuses. We have to be mentally strong."

Mario Balotelli could be doubtful for the weekend after the former Inter Milan striker suffered an allergic reaction against Dynamo.

He came off in the second half and was replaced by skipper Carlos Tevez, who is expected to return against Reading.