Kevin Keegan has already said he wants to keep him beyond the end of his current contract in the summer, but the final decision on the 27-year-old's future depends on the Blues board and the Chinese international's fitness.
"I will talk with Jihai and his agent next week with a view to putting something together to put to the board that would give him another two or three years," the City boss told the official club website.
"He is now working in the gym and is progressing well. I have no doubt he will be back from his injury as he is a very fit boy but it will be the close season before he starts training with us again."
"He has settled here, is still young and he wants to stay," KK added. "He has done well, is very fit and he likes the club. You could go round the world looking for a better player who can play with two feet. You really can't tell whether he is right or left footed.
"The ultimate decision will rest with the board and I am aware that I would be committing a lot of these players beyond my time here. I hope they can trust my judgement."