David Silva is available for Manchester City's final Champions League group game against Bayern Munich but they are without Yaya Toure and Gael Clichy.
Both teams have already qualified for the knockout stages, with City trailing by three points and needing a big win to top the group.
Toure is suspended while Clichy (foot), Matija Nastasic and Stevan Jovetic (both calf) have not travelled.
City boss Manuel Pellegrini said: "All the other players are available."
Midfielder Silva has been absent for City's last six matches with a calf complaint and left-back Clichy has missed Manchester City's last two Premier League games with a foot problem.
But Pellegrini hoped Clichy would be fit for next weekend's home game against Premier League leaders Arsenal.
"He has a problem with his foot. It's not serious. I think he will be OK for Saturday," the Chilean manager added.
Ahead of that crucial game, Pellegrini has indicated he might rest some of his players with England goalkeeper Joe Hart likely to play instead of Costel Pantilimon.
City, who lost 3-1 at home in the first Group D fixture between the two sides, will win the group if they beat Bayern by a three-goal margin or if they score four or more goals in a win by a two-goal margin.
Manchester City provisional squad: Hart, Pantilimon, Zabaleta, Richards, Kompany, Lescott, Demichelis, Boyata, Kolarov, Milner, Navas, Nasri, Fernandinho, Rodwell, Garcia, Silva, Aguero, Negredo, Dzeko. joined the injured list after :
Manuel Neuer Rumours Answered by Pep Guardiola Ahead of Manchester City Clash
Bayern Munich manager Pep Guardiola has issued a firm response to rumours linking goalkeeper Manuel Neuer with a move to Manchester City, and it doesn't look hopeful for the English giants.Ahead of the pair's Champions League group stage clash on Tuesday evening, the Bayern coach left no room for speculation on the matter. When asked about the chance of his No. 1 making the switch, per Chris Wheeler of the Daily Mail, he simply replied: "Absolutely no chance."
Given that Bayern's finances are in fine order—Bloomberg's Ben Priechenfried reported a 20 percent rise in revenue in 2013—and that the club currently boast one of, if not the finest squad in the world, FC Hollywood aren't in a position where they need to sell, either.
A drop in form from Joe Hart has meant that the English stopper has dropped to the bench in recent outings, with Romanian giant Costel Pantilimon taking his place in Manuel Pellegrini's starting XI.
However, it seems Hart will be handed a European lifeline against Bayern on Tuesday, his manager commenting on the keeping situation as well as his side's chances against Bayern, via Wheeler's report:
For him it’s a very important game, not thinking about the past but thinking about the future. I’m absolutely sure and I trust in him. One of most important things was to qualify for the next round and not have to decide the group here in Munich.
We have qualified already but it’s important to improve what we did against Bayern at home. We didn’t play well in that game. Tomorrow we’ll try to change the image of the team from that match.
Pellegrini recently became the first manager to succeed in leading City to the knockout stages of the Champions League. The English club and Bayern have already qualified from the group stage.
In order to pull off what seems an impossible feat and finish atop Group D, the Citizens need not only to win on Tuesday but must do so with a three-goal advantage running in their favour.
The last time Bayern conceded three goals at home in a Champions League fixture came against Inter in the 2010/11 season, but Guardiola's team have gone on to bigger and better things in the past two years.
Pellegrini has already left his mark in achieving qualification from the group phase this campaign, but expecting the Chilean to get the required result against the reigning champions of Europe may be asking too much.
In any case, both teams head to the Allianz Arena knowing their place in the round of 16 is safe, but one goalkeeper in home colours will feel a lot more assured about his long-term future than his Manchester City counterpart.
Martin Demichelis says Man City can become Europe force
Martin Demichelis firmly believes Manchester City can become a European force under Manuel Pellegrin
Pellegrini took charge in the summer, and one of his main priorities was to address City's form in Europe - having failed to ever get out of the group stages under predecessor Roberto Mancini.
City have already sealed the landmark European moment under the Chilean this term, securing qualification for the knockout stages for the first time.
Demichelis knows Pellegrini well, having been part of his Malaga team in recent years, and from being at River Plate when he was manager there.
And speaking ahead of City's Champions League Group D match at another of his former clubs, Bayern Munich, the Argentina centre-back said: "I think Manuel has shown with Malaga and Villarreal what he can achieve in the Champions League.
"I think now we're on a really good path.
"We're growing with every game and every week and we have a great future ahead of us with Manuel."
Demichelis was at Bayern from 2003 to 2010, moving from there to Malaga and then on to Atletico Madrid for a brief spell before joining City towards the end of the last transfer window.
He was ruled out of playing in the Blues' home clash with Bayern in early October due to a knee injury, but is in contention to feature on Tuesday.
And the 32-year-old admits returning to the Allianz Arena is emotional for him. "It (Tuesday's match) will be a very important occasion for me," Demichelis said.
"I played here for seven and a half years and it was great playing here for Bayern.
"I experienced a lot here, and tomorrow and even today are two very emotional days for me in my career and in my life."
Both leaders Bayern and second-placed City are already through to the round of 16 ahead of this contest, the two sides' final Group D match.
City, three points behind their hosts, can leapfrog the defending champions and secure top spot with a win - but they will have to better the 3-1 scoreline Bayern won the reverse fixture at the Etihad Stadium by to do so, which looks a tall order to say the least.
On the challenge ahead, Demichelis said: "It's very difficult to say what Bayern's weak points are but we have to play tomorrow with real fire in our stomachs.
"We're playing a great team and it's great preparation for us."
Asked if City wanted revenge for what happened in the initial meeting - where they were completely outplayed by Bayern for much of the contest - Demichelis added: "Yes.
"A lot can happen in football. Its 11 vs 11. It's very difficult to win here but we have to try to do that."
GOLDEN BOLLOX 10-12-2010
DOUGLAS HIGGINBOTTON BOLLOX
Manchester City's fight club left exposed to prying eyes thanks to Carrington's easy access
There have been some astonishingly close-up pictures of the 'fight club’ that is, at times, Manchester City, with Mario Balotelli and Jérôme Boateng involved in a bit of half-hearted fisticuffs on the training ground.
Such incidents take place at clubs all over the country, although perhaps not with the frequency that has appeared to afflict City of late.
But there is one other reason why the shenanigans at the world’s richest — and now one of the most scrutinised — clubs are constantly exposed. And it is not just to do with the fact that a number of the players are disenchanted with life under their aloof Italian manager, Roberto Mancini.
Instead it is the location of the club’s training ground in Carrington. Much of the perimeter is simply a public footpath, while the club have been thwarted in their attempts to erect large fences around the pitches to stop prying fans and even more intrusive lens. Anyone familiar with the geography of a number of other training grounds, such as Manchester United and Arsenal, will know how securely they are patrolled. At Chelsea, screens have been erected and even a multi-storey construction close to the local railway station to block the view.
However, even if City move to the furthest away pitches from the footpath they can still be spied upon while the club is powerless to stop photographers from snapping away. Apparently part of the council’s opposition was caused by City building a media centre and gatehouse without the necessary planning permission. So their fence plan was vetoed.
The openness must be maddening for a manager such as Mancini who is used to working with players in seclusion at his previous club, Inter Milan.
The spying on training has even extended to a fan’s website which posts regular updates. Thursday’s post included the observations that Kolo Touré was in full training but there was no Emmanuel Adebayor or Nigel de Jong, with the players breaking into two groups one of which “looked distinctly like the team for Saturday”.
More worryingly, perhaps, that team was then beaten 5-0 in a practice match with a hat-trick from Roque Santa Cruz and two goals from Carlos Tévez, who is suspended for the fixture away to his former club, West Ham United.
Arsenal on Man City boss Pellegrini’s mind ahead of Bayern Munich clash
Manchester City boss Manuel Pellegrini admits he is preparing for Tuesday’s Champions League Group D match at Bayern Munich with thoughts of the Premier League meeting with Arsenal that follows it in mind.
City have already secured qualification for the knockout stages of the continental competition and while they can still move up a place to secure top spot in the section ahead of current leaders Bayern, the odds look stacked against them doing it.
The Blues then host Premier League table-toppers Arsenal, who they trail by six points, on Saturday.
And asked on Monday - at his press conference to preview the Bayern match - if he regarded the Gunners clash as the priority and was thinking of resting players on Tuesday, Pellegrini said: “Tomorrow we will see the XI that starts.
“Of course, it was one of the most important things to achieve - qualifying for the next round [already] and not deciding that here in Munich.
“So we will see tomorrow.
“Of course we are thinking about both things - firstly to do a very good game tomorrow, which is very important for us, and also what will happen in the tough game we have against Arsenal on Saturday.”
Negredo: Defenders more aggressive in England
Manchester City striker Alvaro Negredo says Premier League defenders aren't as cultured as their La Liga counterparts - but admits that's not necessarily a bad thing.
The Spain international has enjoyed a successful start to life at the Etihad Stadium since his summer move from Sevilla, forging a deadly allegiance with Sergio Aguero and netting 12 goals in 20 appearances in all competitions.
And Negredo - featured in the January 2014 issue of FourFourTwo - believes some sides' more direct approaches offer a greater test than those who build patiently from the back.
"Here they’re more aggressive and stronger," he tells FFT. "This isn’t true of everyone, but there isn’t the same culture of playing the ball out from the back here as there is in Spain.
"That’s not a criticism, the style of play is just different. In fact, on some of the smaller pitches it seems a good tactic to get the ball from front to back a bit quicker because it puts pressure on our defence."
Read the full exclusive interview with Alvaro Negredo in the January 2014 edition of FourFourTwo magazine - out now in print and on iPad.
Roberto Mancini: I rejected chance to sign Paul Pogba for Manchester City
Former Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini has revealed the club turned down signing Juventus star Paul Pogba on a free transfer from Manchester United.
The French international decided to leave United in the summer of 2012 after becoming frustrated with a lack of first-team football under former Old Trafford manager Sir Alex Ferguson.
Pogba opted to join Juventus for less than £1million in compensation and the move has paid dividends for both player and club. The forward’s form has seen him touted as one of the best European talents and he has established himself as a mainstay in the France team.
Mancini, who will come face-to-face with the youngster when his Galatasaray side face Juventus in Tuesday’s Champions League game, is still puzzled why City did not sign Pogba.
He explained to Tuttosport: ‘He is a player I really like. Two years ago, before he went to Juventus, we could have signed him for Manchester City on a free transfer.
‘To be honest, I can’t really remember why we decided not to.’
GOLDEN BOLLOX 10-12-2011
Balotelli has Barton backing
Rangers midfielder is a fan of controversial youngster
QPR midfielder Joey Barton has defended Manchester City man Mario Balotelli, insisting the striker's exploits get "blown out of proportion".
Balotelli has caused a stir since arriving in the Premier League from Inter Milan last year after being involved in a string of controversial incidents on and off the pitch.
Barton is no stranger to being in the headlines for the wrong reasons himself, and the Rangers man has voiced his support for the 21-year-old.
He told The Sun: "I find him really amusing. He's just a young boy trying to find his way in life.
"Some of the things he has done are petty but they get blown out of all proportion.
"On the flipside of that you've got golden boy (Arsenal midfielder) Jack Wilshere, who's done a lot worse things than Balotelli yet it's massively played down.
"He and Balotelli are having the same sort of problems off the pitch but one is perceived to be a goody two shoes!"
Manchester City fear wage claims by Roma's Daniele De Rossi will thwart summer deal
Roberto Mancini fears Daniele De Rossi’s wage demands could ruin Manchester City’s hopes of capitalising on the Italy midfielder’s contract stalemate with Roma.
Mancini is a long-term admirer of the 28 year-old and enquired about his availability in the summer, but was told a transfer was not possible.
But with De Rossi continuing to reject Roma’s attempts to renew his contract, which is due to expire next June, Mancini is considering a new move for the player in January. His transfer value is expected to be no higher than £5million due to his contract situation.
An established Italy international and regarded as Roma’s most important player, De Rossi believes he can secure a pay deal in excess of £200,000 a week, either at the Stadio Olimpico or elsewhere, but with Manchester City mindful of their need to comply with Uefa’s Financial Fair Play regulations, Mancini accepts the demands are excessive.
However, the City manager is keen to bolster his midfield options, due to uncertainty over Nigel de Jong’s future at the club, Yaya Toure’s month-long involvement with Ivory Coast at next month’s African Cup of Nations and Owen Hargreaves’s failure to prove himself fit enough to cope with the demands of regular first-team football.
Roma general manager Franco Baldini has said the club are determined to thrash out a deal to keep De Rossi.
Henry Winter: hold back the Premier League obituaries
Baldini said: “I will only say that De Rossi, as a man and as a player, is a person we need. Why are there so many difficulties? We are talking about a player, scouted all over the world, with only six months left on his deal.
“He is an intelligent man, at the top of his career, tempted by many offers. That is the difficulty. He is legitimately evaluating all the options and I hope he won’t decide to leave.”
Mancini is comfortable with the prospect of not adding to his squad in January, but the Italian is known to be an admirer of Crystal Palace youngster Wilfried Zaha and is keen for the club to continue to monitor his development at Selhurst Park.
Zaha, an England Under-19 striker, caught the eye during Palace’s Carling Cup win at Manchester United earlier this month, but he has been watched by City on numerous occasions this year.
GOLDEN WAG 2011
[spoiler]
[/spoiler]GB looks forward to Blues clash
Manchester City midfielder Gareth Barry is preparing for a fierce tussle with Chelsea on Monday.
City may travel to Stamford Bridge as leaders of the Barclays Premier League but Barry has noted the Londoners' return to form over the past week.
Chelsea followed up a win at Newcastle by producing their best performance of the season on Tuesday to crush Valencia and qualify for the last 16 of the Champions League.
City, by contrast, endured the disappointment of elimination from that competition but Barry feels spirits are still high after at least beating Bayern Munich in the final group fixture.
Barry said: "It is set up for a great game on Monday.
"They have picked their form up and have had two great performances and two big wins.
"We were watching them on Tuesday, they played some great stuff.
"It is going to be a tough game for us at Stamford Bridge, it always is.
"We are disappointed after Wednesday but we won the game so we can still go into the Chelsea game with confidence."
Monday's game is followed by a home clash with another of the Premier League's giants in Arsenal.
With an imposing January schedule ahead - which includes three games against Liverpool and further dates with Manchester United and Tottenham across three competitions - ambitious City are entering a critical phase.
January will be made tougher by the loss of midfield inspiration Yaya Toure - as well as his defensive brother Kolo - due to the African Nations Cup.
Manager Roberto Mancini believes his team will take some stopping if they can come through that period unscathed.
Mancini said: "We have done well but the season is long.
"Now we have two difficult games against Chelsea and Arsenal.
"I have said before the next two months will be important months.
"Yaya is an important player for us - we don't have any other players like Yaya.
"We will probably lose an important man for one month at a crucial moment.
"For this reason I think if we do well in January, and we are top after January, it will be difficult to lose."
[spoiler]
[/spoiler]Vieira went after weak link Neville
Roy Keane had revealed Patrick Vieira’s deliberate attacking of a “weak link” in Gary Neville triggered the infamous 2005 Highbury tunnel rumpus.
Millions of television viewers saw the fracas between Keane and Vieira unfold live just moments before kick-off in the crunch Premier League tie between Arsenal and Manchester United.
In an ITV4 documentary to be screened tonight entitled “Keane and Vieira — Best of Enemies”, Keane said he couldn’t stand idly by, as United captain, to allow his teammate Neville be intimidated by his opposite skipper.
“I heard you picking on Gary,” recalls Keane in conversation with Vieira. “You were picking on the weak link.”
The Frenchman insisted he only singled out Neville to berate due to his history of shackling another Gunner, Robert Pires, through any means necessary.
“I said to him (Neville) that if he touched Robert, I would come after him,” explained Vieira.
Keane, Ireland’s recently-appointed assistant manager, had a slightly sarcastic take on the bust-up.
“I had forgotten my captain’s armband,” said the Cork man.
“I can’t remember exactly what I said but it was probably along the lines of ‘excuse me, Patrick.”
It was the start of what turned out to be a miserable night for Vieira as they lost the game 4-2 and, with it, their title ambitions.
Still, he was glad the pre-match hostility didn’t continue into another of their tempestuous pitch battles.
Vieira reminded Keane: “‘You said to me ‘leave him alone’. I was expecting you to lose your temper on the pitch.”
“Thank God I didn’t,” retorted Keane. “I had a lot of hatred for Arsenal.”
Eighteen years on from that run-in, it’s evident from the broadcast that age has mellowed the pair who racked up a combined rap sheet of 21 red cards.
Vieira, in particular, has never dimmed in his admiration for his fellow television pundit Keane.
“If I was over you, we had a chance of winning the game,” the current Manchester City U21 manager recounted.
“I really loved fighting against you. I knew I had to be at my very best. I still have that respect for you. It was an honour playing against you.”
True to form, though, Keane wasn’t getting too sentimental about his former sparring partner, instead reaffirming his belief that the majority of those jousts ended in his favour.
“I’m convinced I dominated eight out of 10 games,” Keane insisted with a smile creeping across his mouth.
Meanwhile, Keane has decided against including club stalwart Ryan Giggs in his dream Manchester United team from his 12-year Old Trafford career.
Gary Neville was also overlooked for Paul Parker at right-back in another surprise choice.
“You know you don’t win league titles by having choir boys in your dressing room,” Keane said.
“These boys did challenge the manager in different ways. Becks (David Beckham) challenged the manager, but because you marry a certain woman doesn’t mean you’re challenging the manager. Far from it.
“Having a great career doesn’t mean you’re a great player, I think there is a big difference. I’m not saying Giggsy wasn’t... do I leave Ronaldo out? One of the world’s greatest players? Do I leave Becks out? I just couldn’t feel like I could leave Becks out.’
Barcelona will compete with Manchester United and Arsenal to try to sign Borussia Dortmund's Germany midfielder Ilkay Gundogan, 23. DSSC
Manchester United have renewed their interest in Galatasaray midfielder Wesley Sneijder. The Netherlands international, 29, has been linked with a move to Old Trafford for several years. Guardian
West Ham will bid for Inter Milan's Argentina striker Diego Milito. The 34-year-old's contract expires next summer and the Hammers are hoping to sign Milito for a reduced fee. Daily Mirror
Cruzeiro's Brazilian forward Everton Ribeiro will consider a move to Manchester United, but Liverpool are also interested in the 24-year-old, who could cost £10m. Sky Sports
Crystal Palace manager Tony Pulis is considering a January move for Brondby's 23-year-old striker Simon Makienok. The 6ft 7in forward was also a target for previous manager Ian Holloway. Daily Mirror
Arsenal have watched Ajax's Dutch midfielder Davy Klaassen, 20, who has been compared to Dennis Bergkamp. DSSC
Chelsea striker Samuel Eto'o, 32, will move to a Major League Soccer club in the United States once his contract comes to an end next summer. Guardian
Liverpool keeper Pepe Reina, 31, will be a £4m target for Spanish side Atletico Madrid once his season-long loan expires at Italian club Napoli. Sun
Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard, 33, will be out for six weeks with a hamstring problem sustained in the 4-1 win over West Ham.
Liverpool Echo
Jordan Henderson is also going to miss several weeks with an ankle problem, leaving Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers with Lucas and Joe Allen as his only fit central midfielders. Daily Mirror
West Ham winger Stewart Downing has had ankle surgery after being injured in his side's defeat at Liverpool and is set for a 10-week spell on the sidelines. Sun
Tottenham also have injury concerns as they fear defender Jan Vertonghen could miss the club's Christmas fixtures with an ankle problem. Guardian
Chelsea left-back Ashley Cole, 32, lost his first-team spot after the 2-0 defeat at Newcastle but he is set to return to the Blues starting line-up for the Champions League group game against Steaua Bucharest. Daily Express
Manchester United playmaker Shinji Kagawa could return to German side Borussia Dortmund as club manager David Moyes is thinking of selling the 24-year-old Japanese international. Welt
Real Madrid winger Angel Di Maria, 25, is 'very close' to joining AS Monaco this winter in a transfer deal that could reach 35m dollars (£21.2m). Sport24
Former Paris St-Germain director of football Leonardo has confirmed the club attempted to sign Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo, 28. AS
West Brom team-mates Shane Long and Boaz Myhill have been pictured busking during their Christmas party in Dublin. Metro
GOLDEN BOLLOX 10-12-2012
Manchester City fan faces lifetime ban over pitch encroachment
The Manchester City fan who ran on to the pitch to confront Rio Ferdinand during Sunday's Manchester derby faces a lifetime ban from the club.
Matthew Stott, 21, has had his season ticket revoked and will be banned for life if found guilty of pitch encroachment in court.
"His season card has been removed and he has been charged to appear at court," said a City spokesman.
"If he is found guilty he faces a lifetime ban."
“We've had racial abuse issues, the odd pitch incursion, things being thrown at players - it's very unacceptable and has to be dealt with severely... in the strongest way we can”
Football Association chairman David Bernstein
Stott, described by his solicitor as "not a stereotypical drunken football fan", said in a statement he would be writing to United defender Ferdinand to apologise.
In a statement released by his solicitors, Stott, a landscape gardener from Knutsford, said: "I would like to apologise to all those affected by my actions yesterday, particularly Mr Ferdinand and the other players.
"I am extremely ashamed of my actions. I have let myself down, my family down, my fellow fans down and Manchester City Football Club.
"I intend to write personally to Mr Ferdinand to express my extreme regret and apologies (fair enough) and also apologise to Manchester United and their fans (steady on Stottie lad).
"I would like to thank Joe Hart for his actions when I came on the pitch.
"I have been a fan of Manchester City all my life and I have been a season-ticket holder for three years and I attend the games with my father. I have had the same seat in the section next to the away fans for those three years."
Centre-back Ferdinand suffered a cut above his left eye after being struck as United celebrated striker Robin van Persie's winning goal in a 3-2 victory against their rivals.
While Ferdinand played down the incident in a tweet, the Football Association has opened an investigation into the incident, which has been condemned by Manchester City.
City keeper Joe Hart had to stop Stott, who had run on to the pitch, from reaching Ferdinand as the defender recovered from the blow. Stott was escorted from the field by police officers.
In another tweet, referring to Hart stepping in to the fray, Ferdinand added: "Respect to Joe Hart for protecting that idiot who ran on!! Love the banter between fans but there is a point when it goes too far...calm it!"
Police have also charged eight other people in relation to the trouble. The charges include a racially aggravated public order offence, pitch encroachment, breach of football banning orders and other public offences, including being drunk and disorderly.
A police spokesman said they are continuing to work with City to identify the offender who threw a coin at Ferdinand.
Football Association chairman David Bernstein described the incidents as "deplorable".
"To see Rio Ferdinand with blood on his face is absolutely terrible," he told Sky Sports News.
"I think it's disturbing that we're seeing a recurrence of these types of incidents.
"We've had racial abuse issues, the odd pitch incursion, things being thrown at players - it's very unacceptable and has to be dealt with severely... in the strongest way we can." BBC
GOLDEN WAG 2012
[spoiler]
[/spoiler]Manchester derby prompts PFA to consider protective netting
Professional Footballers' Association chief executive Gordon Taylor says it might be necessary to introduce netting around pitches to protect players.
Taylor was speaking after Manchester United's Rio Ferdinand was hit by an object as his side celebrated a winner against Manchester City on Sunday.
"I think you've got to consider, as has been suggested, some netting in vulnerable areas," said Taylor.
"It could be behind the goals and round the corner flags."
Centre-back Ferdinand was seen bleeding from a cut above his left eye after being hit as United celebrated striker Robin van Persie's goal in a 3-2 victory against their rivals.
While Ferdinand played down the incident in a tweet, the Football Association has opened an investigation into the incident, which has been condemned by Manchester City.
City keeper Joe Hart also had to stop a fan, who had run on to the pitch, from reaching Ferdinand as the defender recovered from the blow.
But Malcolm Clarke, chairman of the Football Supporters' Federation, believes introducing netting would not be the right solution.
"Netting is not something we feel is necessary to have," he said.
"No-one condones the throwing of missiles, but arrests last season were 24% down on previous seasons and not many social phenomenon alter that much.
"It is undoubtedly improving and before we start making knee-jerk reactions to particular incidents we ought to bear that in mind."
MORE BOLLOX LATER ....
