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A fairly early gathering as they are flying out this afternoon. All present except for Nigel and Milner who went off on Saturday with hamstring problems which were a concern going into the derby.

Obviously a low key session although Carminati tried to inject some fun with his warm up routines MJ was involved today and there were 17 on show. Dzeko was there although I did read somewhere he wouldn't be.He is available for tomorrow isn't he? If so I would expect him to lead the line.Mario also took a full part. After the basic warm ups the players who played most of the game on Saturday went inside and 4 EDS players made up the numbers. Chantler,Kay,Assulin and Razak and I think I saw Guidetti come over but he only watched for a while.

As I said low key stuff but Dzeko was the top finisher on show and MJ was running the show setting chances up for him.SWP was Mr Energy. Mario scored a nice penalty watching the keeper go then placing it the other side but after less than an hour they went in.

According to Ian Ladyman Dzeko is not travelling to Greece... not sure wtf Mancini is thinking if that is true.

I hope he does not think that we will easily sweep aside Aris with Jo....

avoidconfusion wrote:According to Ian Ladyman Dzeko is not travelling to Greece... not sure wtf Mancini is thinking if that is true.

I hope he does not think that we will easily sweep aside Aris with Jo....

would seem a bit daft if on one hand you say he is still a tad short of full match fitness and then don't give him chance to get the minutes into his legs

Daniel Taylor in the Guardian apparently also reports Dzeko is not going... I really hope they are talking bollocks.

ant london wrote:

avoidconfusion wrote:According to Ian Ladyman Dzeko is not travelling to Greece... not sure wtf Mancini is thinking if that is true.

I hope he does not think that we will easily sweep aside Aris with Jo....

would seem a bit daft if on one hand you say he is still a tad short of full match fitness and then don't give him chance to get the minutes into his legs

IL said he was in Sarajevo didn't he? Well he is clearly wrong and for me the fact that he trained suggests he will be travelling and I would hope playing.

No signs of any hangovers after Mancini told them to go home and have a drink??

avoidconfusion wrote:Daniel Taylor in the Guardian apparently also reports Dzeko is not going... I really hope they are talking bollocks.

Wasn't Taylor the one who reported there was major, and I mean major, news...that turned out to be a nothing story?

Slim wrote:

avoidconfusion wrote:Daniel Taylor in the Guardian apparently also reports Dzeko is not going... I really hope they are talking bollocks.

Wasn't Taylor the one who reported there was major, and I mean major, news...that turned out to be a nothing story?

Daniel Taylor is the pre-eminent baconface brown-noser at the Guardian. City wind ups and pro manure spin is his bread and butter.

Thanks Doug. I would be gobsmacked and annoyed if Dzeko doesn't travel and play. Is Mancini really going to 'keep him fresh for Notts County?' LOL. Very pleased that Gai was out training today. I presume Balotelli won't travel but is in with a shout for the bench on Sunday?

City squad to face Aris...

Squad: Hart, Given, Taylor, Richards, Zabaleta, Boateng, K Toure, Kompany, Kolarov, Lescott, Wright-Phillips, Vieira, Y Toure, Silva, Barry, Tevez, Dzeko, Balotelli, Jo, M Johnson.

But is this just the Europa League squad anyway?

http://breakingnews.ie/sport/tevez-make ... z1DwXY0hEQ

Heard that Jono (M) is on the flight out so im hoping he gets some game time tomo and on Sunday, but good to see if he still has it.

The Foggy Blue wrote:City squad to face Aris...

Squad: Hart, Given, Taylor, Richards, Zabaleta, Boateng, K Toure, Kompany, Kolarov, Lescott, Wright-Phillips, Vieira, Y Toure, Silva, Barry, Tevez, Dzeko, Balotelli, Jo, M Johnson.

But is this just the Europa League squad anyway?

http://breakingnews.ie/sport/tevez-make ... z1DwXY0hEQ

Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini has named a strong squad for the Europa League match against Aris Salonika in Greece on Tuesday.

Leading scorer Carlos Tevez is included even though he has rarely featured in the competition this season, as is Mario Balotelli following a knee problem.

Midfielder Michael Johnson has received a boost after his injury problems by joining the group. And Edin Dzeko was with the group that flew out to Greece despite reports he would miss the game.

Dzeko to start I would think ( so much for our great press) and quite likely Jo as well.And as long as things go ok I wouldn't be surpried if MJ got a look from the bench.

thanks for the update as usual Doug

Cheers Doug. Would be wonderful to see MJ get a run out. Would make no sense leaving out Dzeko, he could really benefit from a start.

Ted Hughes wrote:Cheers Doug. Would be wonderful to see MJ get a run out. Would make no sense leaving out Dzeko, he could really benefit from a start.

Definitely and the team would benefit from a game with him to get used to his ways.And that's even though it won't be a "first" team

Douglas Higginbottom wrote:

Ted Hughes wrote:Cheers Doug. Would be wonderful to see MJ get a run out. Would make no sense leaving out Dzeko, he could really benefit from a start.

Definitely and the team would benefit from a game with him to get used to his ways.And that's even though it won't be a "first" team

Cheers for the reportage.

I'm very worried about complacency in this game, considering Aris's strength at home. Not taking Dzeko would be a bit ridiculous - hopefully we are taking him, and he'll help us into a position that means we can bring Johnno on.

From Daniel Taylors twitter

Roberto Mancini press conf: Balotelli and Johnson here only because #MCFC short of numbers - both 'not ready,' Milner out with hamstring
less than 20 seconds ago via web

The Foggy Blue wrote:City squad to face Aris...

Squad: Hart, Given, Taylor, Richards, Zabaleta, Boateng, K Toure, Kompany, Kolarov, Lescott, Wright-Phillips, Vieira, Y Toure, Silva, Barry, Tevez, Dzeko, Balotelli, Jo, M Johnson.

But is this just the Europa League squad anyway?

http://breakingnews.ie/sport/tevez-make ... z1DwXY0hEQ

Is that not our full squad?

How long is Milner supposed to be out??