Injury news is a bit old hat these days for the papers, especially with all the exciting stuff going on at City, but when the player in question is Owen Hargreaves, it's a different matter.
Understandably perhaps, given his luckless record, the England midfielder only need stub his toe on a chair leg to become the immediate subject of concern on sports desks far and wide.
He didn't figure in the derby and won't be fit for the Carling Cup at Wolverhampton - but fear not, David Platt reassures an anxious Press, he'll be fine. It's still a story though ...
As Chris Wheeler reports in the Mail : "Owen Hargreaves has been denied the chance to take his next step on the comeback trail after injury ruled him out of City's Carling Cup tie at Wolves.
"Hargreaves's only start since joining City in September came in the last round, when a stunning goal against Birmingham silenced those who doubted he would play at the highest level again.
"The former England midfielder was pencilled in to start at Molineux but City said he will miss the game with a calf problem.
"The club were at pains to point out it is a minor injury unrelated to the serious knee condition that restricted Hargreaves to 39 games in four years at Old Trafford."
He quotes Platty: "There is no worry about it. He has got a little niggle that because it is Owen Hargreaves we are talking about it.
"It is nothing much, it is just a kick in the calf. We have had it scanned and there is no pull or anything. He has not broken down."
City's first-team coach also spells out Roberto Mancini's stance on the Carling Cup: 'He's greedy, he wants everything'
Over in Nottingham, Forest are delighted to have landed Greg Cunningham on loan until the New Year to fill their problem left-back position under new boss Steve Cotterill.
The Evening Post quotes Academy graduate Ishmael Miller: "I think he was coming through as I left. He is coming from a big club so hopefully he can come in, do a good job and make a big impact."
Cotterill tells them: "Left-backs are very difficult to come by and although he's only a young player I think he's got a good future ahead of him."
Soccerway.com are among those taken with Mario Balotelli's #askmario interview on our site, especially the striker's enduring bond with the boss.
The quote they like? "When a manager wants you, he trusts you, so he gives you more chances. Mancini is like a dad to me. Mancini wants me so I have to be one of the best in the squad so I don't disappoint him."
Well, that works for us, Mario ...
Manchester City striker Carlos Tevez may sue Roberto Mancini
Tevez has not played for City since they beat Birmingham on 21 September Carlos Tevez may sue Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini for defamation of character, according to sources in the Argentine striker's camp.
On Tuesday, City fined Tevez four weeks wages - about £1m - for what they say were five separate breaches of contract in a game against Bayern Munich.
A club investigation found Tevez guilty of refusing to play in the match.
But Tevez has been advised that Mancini's post-match comments on the matter could amount to defamation.
The player, who has 14 days to appeal to the club board against the charge, continues to assert that at no time during the Champions League match in Germany in September was he told he was to be brought on to play and he is understood to be considering his legal options.
Should any internal appeal by Tevez fail then the striker has the option of taking the matter to a Premier League tribunal.
Tevez and his advisors believe that none of the five reasons given by Manchester City for upholding the charge of misconduct is correct, and that Mancini's assertion immediately after the game that he refused to play could therefore equate to defamation.
The breaches of contract cited by City, include "an obligation to participate in any matches in which the player is selected" and a failure to follow the instructions of his manager
City have decided not to extend the two-week suspension already served by Tevez.
The player, who has not played since the Carling Cup match against Birmingham on 21 September, is therefore theoretically available for selection for City's Carling Cup fourth-round tie at Wolves on Wednesday.
But a departure from Eastlands in January seems inevitable, with Tevez having trained alone since returning to the club after suspension.
Mancini is also unlikely to wish to unsettle a squad that is now five points clear at the top of the Premier League after thrashing city rivals Manchester United 6-1 on Sunday.
Tevez was signed by then City manager Mark Hughes in the summer of 2009 and has since scored 53 goals in 91 appearances.
In May, he captained the club to FA Cup triumph, with a 1-0 victory over Stoke in the final at Wembley, City's first major trophy in 35 years.
However, he has also twice asked for a transfer away from Eastlands and looked set to get his wish before a proposed £40m move to Brazilian side Corinthians fell through.
He has made five appearances for City this season, but only two starts, and is yet to score.
ManCityFans Thread: viewtopic.php?f=119&t=40245&start=250
Man City 'consider Maxwell move as Juventus eye Aleksandar Kolarov'
Juventus are weighing up a move for Manchester City full back Aleksandar Kolarov, as the Italian outfit plot a January reshuffle, according to reports.
Kolarov has struggled to hold down a regular place in the City team, following a £16 million switch from Lazio in July 2010.
The 25-year-old has since seen competition for places intensify, with Gael Clichy joining from Arsenal, and is now being lined up for a return to Serie A.
AC Milan and Genoa have both been linked with a cut price £8 million deal in recent months, but Juventus have now jumped the queue, as manager Antonio Conte looks to bolster his squad in the New Year.
São Paulo's Rhodolfo and Manchester United's Kiko Macheda are other targets, but Kolarov heads Conte's list.
Should a deal be done, City boss Roberto Mancini will monitor Irish left back Greg Cunningham in the meantime, after he joined Nottingham Forest on loan, but could move for València's Jérémy Mathieu or Barcelona's Maxwell as a replacement.
Manchester City defender Kolo Toure says he would leave Eastlands to join French giants Paris Saint-Germain. the Sun
[spoiler]Nikoleta Lozanova
[/spoiler]OTHER BOLLOX
Manchester United are considering an £18m move for Athletic Bilbao midfielder Javi Martinez. Daily Mail
Newcastle are ready to renew their interest in Birmingham defender Liam Ridgewell. Daily Mail
Tottenham are eyeing a move for FC Twente and Bulgaria international goalkeeper Nikolay Mihaylov. Daily Mirror
Andre Villas-Boas has ordered Chelsea scouts to watch Portuguese midfielder Vitor Gomes. Daily Mirror
Arsenal are bracing themselves for yet another battle with Barcelona for one of their stars, as winger Theo Walcott has apparently caught the eye of Barca boss Pep Guardiola. Metro
Arsenal and Liverpool look set to miss out on the signing of teenage striker Andy Polo from Universitario de Deportes in Peru after his agent revealed he is set for a move to Germany. talkSHIT
Everton are pondering a January transfer move for Young Boys midfielder David Degen. Daily Mirror
Chelsea are believed to be lining up a January move for Parma midfielder Sebastian Giovinco, according to reports in Italy.
talkSHIT
Inter Milan's interest in Arsenal midfielder Aaron Ramsey has strengthened with the Italian giants rumoured to be considering making a bid as early as January. Footylatest.com
Chelsea are believed to be favourites to sign 17-year-old Partizan Belgrade forward Lazar Markovic. Inside Futbol
A warm-up for the Great Britain men's and women's football teams could see a Saturday double-header before next year's London Olympics.
The Times
Martin O'Neill has emerged as the first-choice target to succeed Sven-Goran Eriksson at Leicester City. The Times
MK Dons boss Karl Robinson is a surprise contender for the Leicester job. The Sun
Tottenham coach Joe Jordan has sent a get well message to AC Milan's Gennaro Gattusso - who is fighting to overcome an eye injury. Daily Mail
Everton manager David Moyes says Jack Rodwell's red card in the Merseyside Derby has helped his game. The Guardian
Steve Kean is modelling plans for a Blackburn revival on Alan Pardew's work at Newcastle. Daily Mail
Chelsea centre-back John Terry could be stripped of the England captaincy again if he is found guilty of racially abusing QPR defender Anton Ferdinand. Daily Mirror
Aston Villa striker Darren Bent has hit out at critics who said he left former club Sunderland for more money at Villa Park. the Sun
Liverpool forward Dirk Kuyt is on the verge of making an unwanted piece of Reds history - the most appearances in the modern era without winning a trophy. Daily Mirror
Peter Reid will receive a replacement FA Cup medal after selling one of his own to help pay Plymouth staff. Daily Express
