Preview: City v Bolton Wanderers By Doug Bennett - 14/12/2007 19:06
Sven-Goran Eriksson is hoping to welcome back Dietmar Hamann and Elano for Saturday's Premier League clash with Bolton Wanderers at Eastlands.
The duo missed last Sunday's disappointing 2-1 defeat at Spurs and while Hamann seems certain to return, Elano remains a slight doubt and faces a fitness test on Saturday morning.
On the downside, Stephen Ireland will miss the game following his red card for a two-footed lunge at Spurs'.
Gelson Fernandes drop down to the bench for Hamann, while Eriksson faces a choice between Darius Vassell and Geovanni for a right midfield berth.
Rolando Bianchi seems certain to start after coming off the subs bench to score City's leveler at White Hart Lane.
Meanwhile Trotters boss Gary Megson is likely to pick an unchanged side from the eleven that hammered Wigan last weekend, with Kevin Nolan and Danny Guthrie likely to form the midfield backbone.
Eriksson is under no illusions about the task facing City if they are to maintain their 100% home record this term:
"They [Bolton] won 4-1 at the weekend, beat United of course and had good results in Europe so they will be a hard team to beat," said the Blues boss.
"It seems that the new manager has turned things around for them and the scouts we have had at their matches have commented on what a good spirit they have been showing.
"They fight for everything and are defensively sound so it will be hard for us. Of course they are a physically strong team but there is nothing wrong with that. If you have a great physique then you must use it. Then it is up to the referee to say whether it is too much or whether it is OK.
"They are known for being strong but they have good footballers too like Anelka and Campo."
Prediction: It'll be tough and not likely to be pretty. City to squeeze it 2-1.
City (from): Isaksson, Corluka, Dunne, Richards, Garrido, Etuhu, Hamann, Fernandes, Johnson, Petrov, Elano, Vassell, Bianchi, Samaras, Geovanni, Hart, Onuoha, Jihai.
Bolton (from): Jaaskelainen, Al Habsi, Hunt, A O'Brien, Meite, Cid, Gardner, Giannakopoulos, Guthrie, McCann, Nolan, Alonso, Speed, Teymourian, Wilhelmsson, Davies, Anelka, Diouf, Samuel, Al Habsi, Michalik, Braaten.