Luis Suarez will aim to exploit what he considers a vulnerable Manchester City defence when he returns to England for the first time as a Barcelona player tomorrow.

The former Liverpool striker, who moved on to the Nou Camp last summer, has not scored so freely in Spanish football as he did in the Premier League. But he is relishing a crack at unlocking Champions League rivals City's backline, picking it out as the soft spot in Manuel Pellegrini's team.

He said ahead of the Etihad Stadium last-16 tussle that City have quality "in midfield and up front, but they also have weakness at the back".

The reigning Premier League champions kept Uruguayan Suarez off the scoresheet in their matches against Liverpool last season, so may have something to say about his verdict.

Suarez was speaking in an interview with UEFA, according to Barcelona's website.

City's form had been shaky before they returned to convincing ways with wins over Stoke and Newcastle this month, but Suarez senses they can rise to the big occasion.

"People may doubt them because of the run they have been on lately, but they are Manchester City," Suarez said. "They are Premier League champions and they have top quality players all over the pitch."

He added: "I think when you play against the big teams you never know what they're doing on the pitch.

"They have really good players and really good quality with the ball but we are Barcelona and we know what we can do against City."