Boateng and Richards add to City's growing defensive crisis
German full-back could be out for rest of season while England defender is likely to miss crucial FA Cup derby
Manchester City's hopes of restoring lost momentum after the international break have been a dealt a blow with a mounting defensive injury crisis which is likely to deprive the club of Jerome Boateng and Micah Richards for much of the run-in.
Boateng arrived back in Manchester last night for tests today on knee cartilage damage sustained during the warm-up for Germany's win over Kazakhstan on Saturday which the national team doctor has already declared requires surgery. That would effectively mean Boateng's season is over, though City retain some hope that an operation will not be required on the lateral meniscus tear, as the German national camp's prognoses are often pessimistic.
Boateng looks unlikely to be a contender for the FA Cup semi-final with Manchester United on 16 April and the hopes being fostered by Richards that he will be back for that game, having suffered a hamstring injury in England Under-21's defeat of Denmark last Thursday, also look extremely slim. Richards is to install an oxygen chamber in his house in his race to be ready, though it will be a miracle if he plays against United. With Kolo Touré also sidelined pending a possible charge for taking an illegal substance, Roberto Mancini has increasingly limited options.
Pablo Zabaleta may be asked to deputise at right back, where Boateng and the in-form Richards have commanded the role virtually all season. Dedryk Boyata has also been used at right-back by Mancini in the home win against Chelsea, though it was his first senior game there and he has not been used in the Premier League since his dismissal in the fifth minute of the home defeat to Arsenal.
With Carlos Tevez also facing a race against time to be fit for the visit of Sunderland on Sunday – City remain hopeful he will win it – Mancini will be cursing an international break which he declared his palpably tiring squad was in need of. However, the timing of the training ground prank which saw Mario Balotelli throw a dart in the direction of a youth-team player is not as unfortunate as at first appeared. It is understood that the incident occurred a month ago, which is less grim for Balotelli who has only just been left out of Italy's international squad for his dismissal against Dynamo Kiev.
Bruised Barry trying to rebuild his reputation
Tonight's England captain, who wasn't even in the squad on Saturday, is aiming to make amends for woeful World Cup
It is hard to believe now that Gareth Barry's ankle was as much of a cause celebre amid England's World Cup preparations last May as the fractured metatarsals of David Beckham and Wayne Rooney had been to previous campaigns. "Barry preying on Fabio's mind" ran one headline at the time. "Not a prayer without crocked Barry" was another.
Wearing the captain's armband, as Barry will for the first time tonight, should be the pinnacle of a stately progression from a player whose performance against Israel in September 2007 was a revelation to the apparent lynchpin of Fabio Capello's side. Instead, Barry finds himself assailed from all sides by other England midfield prospects – Jack Wilshere and, as of Saturday, Scott Parker – and is unmistakably wounded by the fact that Capello did not even deem him worthy of a place on England's bench in Cardiff on Saturday.
He put a brave face on that yesterday – "this is just football; it sums up the game," he said – though he has grounds to feel he has been dealt a poor hand. Barry did travel to South Africa, of course, and though not fit when finally pressed into action for England's second game against Algeria, will always be cast as the midfielder whose lack of pace was exploited by Germany's Mesut Özil on that fateful afternoon in Bloemfontein, rather than the one prepared to risk his reputation by playing at less than his physical peak.
Barry was not allowing excuses yesterday. "It would be easy to say 'no I wasn't [fit]', that I wanted to get out there and play for my country, but I'm not like that. I'm not looking for an excuse. I felt fit enough. It's no excuse," he insisted. Neither is he pretending that he has blistering pace, though that is not what the nation was focusing on last May. "That's one thing that's been aimed at me since I was 17, a lack of pace," Barry said. "I'm no slower now than I was then. That one incident people recall, from the Germany game, [the fourth goal] was on the highest stage at the World Cup, so it will be remembered. I'm comfortable with it. You have to be strong and forget about it, play your normal game. I'm not going to go out and get some extra speed training. You are what you are. You're picked to play and do your job."
That "job" has never involved snapping into challenges like Claude Makelele in his pomp: the role he has been asked to perform for England is Nigel de Jong's at Manchester City, not his. Why Barry so obsessed the nation was that quiet and busy efficiency he can have at harassing opponents and shifting a ball – a killer pass sometimes – to a team-mate, to give England their rhythm.
With Parker so formidable in the harassing role, Wilshere so thrillingly inventive and Steven Gerrard also due back, the picture looks grey for Barry, though he has been here before. He waited three long years for his seventh international cap and when two came in 2003, there was another four-year wait for a ninth. But little wonder he looked more bruised than ebullient when he arrived yesterday to discuss his role as stand-in captain against Ghana.
There was a brief flash of the wit that is a lesser known part of his make-up. Asked if the England players were offered the same opportunity to challenge his appointment as when Capello gathered his team to reveal John Terry's reinstatement he said, "No. I didn't give them the chance." Yet you sensed his acute awareness of the struggle ahead. Barry as the pivot of England's midfield was "the way it was being spoken about" last May, he agreed. "I was comfortable playing there and my form was good for England. On Saturday I wasn't involved, and now I'm captain. That's just football and the way things can change. I'm not sitting here thinking I'm a regular again for England, that I don't have to keep my form. It doesn't work like that."
Mario Balotelli 'must grow up' before being reconsidered for Italy
'I want responsible players in my national team' says Italy boss. Striker allegedly threw darts at Manchester City youth players
Manchester City's troubled striker Mario Balotelli has been told he must mature before being reconsidered for the Italian national team. The warning comes as Roberto Mancini, the City manager, considers whether to discipline the 20-year-old for allegedly throwing darts at youth team players.
Balotelli was omitted from Italy's European Championship qualifier against Slovenia last Friday and Tuesday's friendly against Ukraine following his red card in City's Europa League defeat by Dynamo Kyiv. Mancini criticised his compatriot for the "stupid" challenge on Goran Popov before demoting him to the bench for the defeat at Chelsea three days later.
Now the president of the Italian Football Federation, Giancarlo Abete, has warned the former Internazionale player that his career will continue to suffer for club and country unless his behaviour improves.
"Balotelli still has some problems and lacks continuity," said Abete. "He needs to mature and that has to be a personal choice. We hope he grows and that the focus is placed on his technical ability. He is a great champion of Italian football and will return to be a part of the national team."
Abete's hopes have not been encouraged by the latest controversy to blight Balotelli's career, with the striker alleged to have thrown darts at members of City's youth team from a first floor window at the club's training complex last week. Balotelli was only present at Carrington due to his exclusion from international duty and, though no one was hurt in the incident, Mancini will demand an explanation from his £24m signing when the manager returns to the club today before deciding whether disciplinary action is warranted.
No measures have been taken against the forward by the club so far but the allegation is another untimely problem for Mancini as he strives to deliver Champions League football to Eastlands, and for City's ambitious owners, next season.
Cesare Prandelli, the Italy manager, has echoed Abete's stance that Balotelli does have a future at international level providing he addresses his disruptive behaviour. "Everyone is responsible for their own behaviour," said Prandelli. "Balotelli has to understand that with this type of behaviour, he is only hurting himself. We have sent him positives messages. I think he is struggling, he is in need of affection, being considered and perhaps this is his way of expressing this need."
Italy's win in Slovenia on Friday prompted Prandelli to revise plans to recall the City striker for the friendly against Ukraine. "I considered calling him after the game against Slovenia but then I thought it was best not to because this group has responded well," he said. And the former Fiorentina coach admits Balotelli must use the remainder of City's season to regain trust at international level.
"I want responsible players in my national team. The external episodes that surround Balotelli are annoying but this has happened in the past with other players so this is nothing new," added Prandelli.
"In certain cases the behaviour off the pitch conditions the judgement of what you do on the pitch. It will be his performances on the pitch in the next two months that will make us understand if he is ready to begin an adventure with us. He will have to do well with City and make sure people talk about him for what he does on the pitch. Only then will he become an important player for the national team because his talent cannot be questioned."
City have suffered an injury setback after the German football federation said the defender Jérôme Boateng needs surgery on his right knee. Boateng hurt the knee while warming up for Saturday's European Championship qualifier against Kazakhstan and has returned to Manchester. City are also without another key defender in Micah Richards.
OTHER BOLLOX
Inter Milan midfielder Wesley Sneijder, 26, has hinted he is ready to listen to Manchester United's overtures, possibly paving the way for a record-breaking £30m-plus transfer. Daily Mirror
Manchester United are weighing up a move for Werder Bremen's vastly experienced 26-year-old centre-back Per Mertesacker this summer. Caughtoffside.com
Bayern Munich are the latest club to join the race for Arsenal's 25-year-old defender Gael Clichy. talkSPORT
Palermo have suggested they are expecting bids from a number of English clubs including Liverpool, Manchester United and Chelsea for midfielder Javier Pastore, 21, in the summer. Metro
A host of Europe's top clubs are gearing up for a summer battle for Gareth Bale after Tottenham made an approach to sign Lyon's Michael Bastos as a replacement, according to reports in the Italian press. Daily Mirror
Germany World Cup star Miroslav Klose, 32, is set to seal a free transfer to Tottenham this summer.
Full story: Daily Mail
Chelsea want to reunite 27-year-old Fernando Torres with his former Atletico Madrid strike partner Sergio Aguero, 22, at Stamford Bridge. talkSPORT
David Luiz has urged 19-year-old Brazil team-mate Neymar to join him at Chelsea after the striker admitted he wants to move to Europe. Daily Mirror
Bosnia striker Vedad Ibisevic, 26, who plays for German side Hoffenheim, is wanted by Premier League sides Aston Villa and West Brom. Daily Mail
Manchester United have agreed a deal with Atletico Madrid to sign 20-year-old keeper David de Gea this summer, according to reports in the Spanish press. Caughtoffside.com
Brazilian playmaker Ganso vows to honour his Santos contract and shun Chelsea, Spurs and Inter Milan. talkSPORT
Liverpool's Lucas is being lined up for a £3m move to Napoli as the Reds continue to track Blackpool star Charlie Adam, 25, as a central midfield replacement. Daily Mirror
Adam, however, has vowed to put all transfer talk to one side to focus on keeping Blackpool in the Premier League. Daily Mail
Liverpool will reportedly attempt to land Inter Milan left-back Davide Santon by offering Alberto Aquilani, 26, in return for the talented 20-year-old Italian international. Caughtoffside.com
Blackburn manager Steve Kean has confirmed Rovers want to take Hamburg's Ruud van Nistelrooy on a free transfer. Daily Mirror
However, the 34-year-old former Manchester United forward wants £4m-a-season in wages to return to the Premier League. Daily Mail
Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp is also preparing a big- money offer Van Nistelrooy. Caughtoffside.com
Tottenham are lining up a summer move for Sevilla striker Alvaro Negredo, 25, according to reports in Spain. Daily Mirror
Birmingham are tracking 15-goal Dundee United and Scotland striker David Goodwillie, 21, who is also a target for Rangers. Daily Mirror
England boss Fabio Capello has claimed he only needs to know a maximum 100 words of English after being grilled over his grasp of the language three years into his reign. Daily Mirror
Capello is also angry at Jose Mourinho's claims that he was "hours away" from accepting the England job after being sacked by Chelsea. Daily Express
Liverpool captain Steve Gerrard admits the players let down Roy Hodgson during his failure-filled six months as manager earlier this season. Daily Mirror
Fernando Torres has told Cesc Fabregas to prepare himself for a backlash if he quits Arsenal for Barcelona having seen himself go from hero to zero on Merseyside after quitting Liverpool for Chelsea in January. Daily Mail
Andy Carroll will lead England's attack against Ghana at Wembley - after being ordered by boss Fabio Capello to drink less beer. Daily Mirror
MANCHESTER United is the most loathed company in Britain, a poll shows.
Twenty-six per cent of people put Sir Alex Ferguson's team at the top of their hate list.
Soccer rivalry and the success and power of the club were blamed.
The next most hated firm was Ryanair, with 23 per cent. People said they can't stand the airline's money-grabbing antics.
British Gas, blamed for hiking prices, was hated by 22 per cent, and fast food giant McDonald's by 19 per cent.
Britain is still seething at the bonuses paid to bankers - with 17 per cent naming RBS and 16 per cent Lloyds as the firms they cannot stand.They were followed by Starbucks (14 per cent) and BT (13 per cent).
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