Manchester City are confident they have Mario Balotelli’s allergy under control, but finding a cure for the squad’s fatigue may not prove so easy.
Roberto Mancini’s policy of travelling straight home following European games backfired after Thursday’s defeat at Dynamo Kiev as City’s flight did not land in Manchester until 5am on Friday.
The delay is believed to have been caused by issues over a gas bottle in City’s medical kit and it meant the players barely slept just two days before Sunday's FA Cup quarter-final against Reading.
Mancini stood by his policy, saying: ‘If we left on Friday, we would have lost another day. Usually after a game the players don’t sleep so we felt it was better to get them back and try to get them right for Sunday.
'This is one of the problems we have playing every three days. We are playing on Sunday at 5pm and I hope we can recover in time.’
Midfielder Nigel De Jong backed his manager’s decision, saying: ‘I don’t think it will affect us. We’re not little kids any more. We’ve all got experience of how to handle this schedule and make sure we are right and ready for them on Sunday. I’m sure I’ll be okay.’
City’s weary players were back in training on Friday afternoon and Balotelli was able to join in despite his bizarre allergic reaction in Kiev. The young striker was late out for the start of the second half and went off 12 minutes later with swelling to his face and an itchy rash.
City blamed it on the type of grass in the stadium but Dynamo yesterday insisted it was a ‘normal’ pitch with ‘standard grass’.
Balotelli’s condition was described as a severe case of hayfever which was brought under control by antihistamines, although giving the player a shot of adrenalin was also considered.
It is not the first time Balotelli has been affected by the problem, either at City and Inter Milan, but he is expected to be available for tomorrow’s game that will kick off a crucial week for Mancini’s side.
On Thursday they will attempt to stay in Europe by overturning the two-goal deficit against Kiev, and then go to Chelsea in the Premier League with third place in the table at stake.
Italian side are determined to keep Uruguayan star
Manchester City are lining up a move for Napoli striker Edinson Cavani as a summer replacement for Carlos Tevez or Mario Balotelli.
Cavani has been the star of Serie A this season and has been identified as City's top target should one of their current first-choice forwards leave at the end of the season.
Club captain Tevez could still push for a move despite withdrawing a transfer request in December, while Balotelli has struggled to adapt to life in England and has persistently been linked with a switch to AC Milan.
City are aware they need to assess their options and manager Roberto Mancini believes £30 million-rated Cavani would fit perfectly into his attack.
But the Eastlands club face a tough battle to land the 24-year-old as Napoli are adamant he is not for sale – but that will not stop City from testing the Italian outfit's resolve.
Club president Aurelio De Laurentiis is notorious for keeping hold of his star players and has even addressed the prospect of an approach from City's Abu Dhabi owners.
“I wouldn't even sell him for €50m [£41.5m],” said De Laurentiis in January. “I would say 'no' if Manchester City wanted him.”
It is believed the amount City would be prepared to offer depends on the transfer fees received for any big names who leave the club, with Emmanuel Adebayor also almost certain to be sold after he completes a loan stint at Real Madrid.
Cavani has scored 20 goals in 28 league appearances this season and is believed to be happy at the club despite interest from Italian giants Inter and Juventus. The player is officially on a season-long loan from Palermo but Napoli will activate a clause to sign him permanently for £14m at the end of the season.
City hope for the boost of Champions League football next season that will allow Mancini to make changes to his squad and help the club challenge for the Premier League title.
The Italian wants to move for Barcelona’s Dani Alves or Ajax’s Gregory van der Wiel as his new first-choice right-back while Tottenham winger Gareth Bale is also a £50m target.
Manchester City v Reading: Reading ‘privileged’ but not fearful about facing City
Reading manager Brian McDermott insists his side have “no fear” as they prepare for tomorrow’s FA Cup quarter-final at Manchester City.
The Championship side will be huge underdogs as they go head-to-head with Roberto Mancini’s team of multi-million pound signings, but won at Everton in the last round and are enjoying a fine run of form in the league at the moment.
The Royals’ starting XI at Eastlands will cost less than either Carlos Tevez or Yaya Toure, but the club are unbeaten in seven games and possess a belief they can cause another upset.
McDermott led his side to the last eight last year, where they fell to Aston Villa, and he wants to go a step further this time.
He said: “You look at the players that City have got, the amount of money they have spent and the manager they have got and it’s a real privilege to go to Eastlands and play against them. But we have no fear.
“We are not fazed by the occasion and we are looking forward to it. We want to go there and get a result because that’s how you enjoy games.
“I’ve not enjoyed a defeat yet in my career so we need to go and perform at our best.
“We want to do right by our fans and put on a performance for them. We are followed in large numbers, they left Ipswich happy in midweek and they were certainly happy with coming away from Everton with a win.
“We’ll be loud at Eastlands. I know we will be backed and our fans will make themselves heard.”
The two teams enjoyed contrasting trips in midweek, with Reading picking up a 3-1 win at Ipswich while City were on the end of a 2-0 defeat at Dynamo Kiev.
Mancini’s players only arrived back from their near 3,000-mile round trip early yesterday morning, but McDermott does not believe they will be affected.
He said: “It’s never easy to go to Kiev and play in that part of the world. It is a long old journey, the pitch was difficult and it was a tough night for them all round really. They lost the two goals but they’ll be alright in the tie I’m sure.
“They certainly have the players to deal with it and it won’t affect our preparations.”
Reading captain Matt Mills is a doubt to face his old club after picking up a groin strain at Ipswich, while midfielder Mikele Leigertwood will hope to add to his club record of avoiding defeat in his first 17 appearances for the club.
City striker Mario Balotelli is be doubtful for the tie with Reading after the former Inter Milan striker suffered an allergic reaction against Dynamo.
He came off in the second half and was replaced by captain Tevez, who is expected to return to the starting line-up.
However, former Leeds United midfielder James Milner is expected to be ruled out again with a hamstring injury.
WAG OF THE DAY
OTHER BOLLOX
Arsenal chairman Peter Hill-Wood has said that he would have preferred manager Arsene Wenger to keep his criticisms of Uefa and Swiss referee Massimo Busacca private. He adds to Wenger's criticisms of Uefa however, stating that its officials "don't listen to you and never have done." Daily Star
Serie A side Juventus want to sign 23-year-old Tottenham winger Aaron Lennon for £20m following his impressive performances in the Champions League. talkSPORT
Manchester United could make a bid to bring 33-year-old Juventus keeper Gianluigi Buffon to Old Trafford for around £17m. caughtoffside.com
The Premier League leaders are also interested in Everton's Jack Rodwell and have reached an agreement in principle to sign the midfielder for £25m. The Sun
Barcelona chiefs are set to hold a meeting to decide whether to make a move for Arsenal's 23-year-old captain Cesc Fabregas. Daily Mirror
Liverpool boss Kenny Dalglish is interested in bringing Spartak Moscow's 24-year-old Irish international winger Aiden McGeady to Anfield. caughtoffside.com
Harry Redknapp's Tottenham are ready to offer Liverpool's 29-year-old midfielder Joe Cole a way out of Anfield. Daily Mirror
Meanwhile, Inter Milan skipper Javier Zanetti wants his club to sign 25-year-old Spurs midfielder Luka Modric. Daily Mirror
Emilio Izaguirre's agent, Pablo Hernandez, insists the Honduras full-back has no thoughts of leaving Celtic despite being linked to Arsenal, Barcelona, Liverpool and Manchester United. (Evening Times, Glasgow)
Real Madrid boss Jose Mourinho is planning to return to the Premier League next season as the Special One misses the passion and excitement of English football. The Sun
Manager Fabio Capello believes John Terry is a natural leader and he wants to return the England armband to the Chelsea defender. Daily Mail
Chelsea striker Fernando Torres has admitted the "chaos" surrounding Liverpool forced him to leave Anfield. Daily Mirror
Former Birmingham player and manager Trevor Francis believes the Blues have the quality to both win the FA Cup and remain in the Premier League. talkSPORT
Celtic assistant Johan Mjallby thinks it is wrong that Neil Lennon's touchline ban means the manager will not be able to lead the side out in the Co-operative Insurance Cup final against Rangers. (Various)
Assistant Johan Mjallby wants the Scottish Football Association to give Neil Lennon special dispensation to lead Celtic out at the Co-operative Insurance Cup despite the manager's touchline ban. (the Herald)
Rangers defender Madjid Bougherra has issued an apology to referee Calum Murray after being summoned to a disciplinary hearing on 12 April following his red card in the Scottish Cup defeat by Celtic. (the Sun)
Algeria defender Madjid Bougherra thinks he does not deserve extra punishment despite being called to face the Scottish Football Association for manhandling referee Calum Murray during Rangers' Scottish Cup defeat by Celtic. (the Herald)
Chelsea and England midfielder Frank Lampard has been given a three-month driving ban for speeding. Daily Mirror
West Ham coach Wally Downes wants the East London club to go unbeaten for the remainder of the season to ensure their Premier League survival. "We've got nine games left, nine cup ties," he adds. talkSPORT
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