The Phantom returns

[john@staustell]

http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/ ... er-6449680?

Stevan Jovetic could make a long-awaited return to the City squad for today's vital clash with relegation-fighting Crystal Palace.

The Montenegro striker has been the subject of feverish speculation after playing just five times for the Blues following his £22m summer move from Fiorentina.

Some have claimed that he has failed to settle in the area but City have always maintained that his absence has purely been down to hamstring and calf problems.

And M.E.N. Sport understands he could land a place on the bench at the Etihad Stadium for this afternoon's 3pm kick-off.

A Blues' source said Jovetic took full part in the warm downs after Boxing Day's 2-1 win over Liverpool and could be ready to put his injury nightmare behind him.

Jovetic had been pencilled in for a comeback at Leicester City in the Capital One Cup but is yet to return for Manuel Pellegrini who is expected to be without mercurial Argentinian Sergio Aguero for another two weeks.

“He (Jovetic) is an important player for us as Aguero is out and we can’t play every game with Negredo and Dzeko,” said City's Chilean boss.

“That is why we split them, as we have to play Crystal Palace, then again Wednesday and Saturday.

“Jovetic will be important, we hope, and can recover soon. We hope in the second half of the season he will do well.”

Matija Nastasic could return to the heart of City's defence for the visit of Tony Pulis' side while Vincent Kompany may be rested.

The Serbian centre-half limped out of the Blues' 6-0 romp over Spurs at the Etihad on November 29 and was an unused substitute on Thursday.

After another sterling performance between the posts Joe Hart is likely to take the gloves again.

Pellegrini believes he is reaping the rewards of an enforced six-week 'rest' and denied claims his custodian, 'the best in England' had suffered from a loss of belief.

“I don’t think Joe ever lost his confidence, either his own or the trust of myself, the rest of the team or (goalkeeping coach) Xabier Mancisidor who works with him,” he said.

“He needed a rest and it was very good for him – he has continued to be the best goalkeeper in England.”

At right-back Pablo Zabaleta may be handed a well-earned break after he came back early from a hamstring injury and played a full 90 minutes against Liverpool.

With Micah Richards injured, candidates to replace him are few and far between although left back Gael Clichy has moved across defence recently.

If the Blues can see off the low-flying Eagles, who are one place above the drop zone, they will go top – with Arsenal not in action until tomorrow.

[Slim]

Excellent news.

He is not, he's not really here.
He is not, he's not really here.
Just like the fans of Stevan Jovetic's calf.
We're not really here.

[Twobob]

Be just like an early January signing...

[Fidel Castro]

He'll probably have to pull out at the last minute cos he needs a poo or something

[Spurge]

He'll probably have to pull out at the last minute cos he needs a poo or something

Interesting you say this as sky report as follows

Top scorer Sergio Aguero (calf) and right-back Micah Richards (hamstring) remain on the sidelines while striker [highlight]Stevan

Jovetic is now out with a hamstring problem[/highlight]
And BBC Sport seem to agree

Manchester City's fit-again defender Matija Nastasic could be recalled against Crystal Palace, having been among the substitutes on Boxing Day.

Martin Demichelis missed that match because of injury, and Sergio Aguero, Micah Richards and [highlight]Stevan Jovetic are all still out[/highlight]

[avoidconfusion]

This guy is the new Bojinov I swear.

[Dunnylad]

Makes you wonder if he really is injured?

[City64]

I predict Jovetic will have another panic attack when he sees Premier League grass and wont be seen again until april !

[Douglas Higginbottom]

He'll be good for City eventually.Quality player and can't wait to see him performing for us.

[Cocacolajojo1]

He'll be good for City eventually.Quality player and can't wait to see him performing for us.

Would you mind giving us a Doug sneak preview based on your visits to the training ground?

[Douglas Higginbottom]

He'll be good for City eventually.Quality player and can't wait to see him performing for us.

Would you mind giving us a Doug sneak preview based on your visits to the training ground?

Would love to but he has never completed a training session I have been to.That's actually not that many but last time I saw him he looked top quality so I reckon we are in for a treat once he starts playing games.

[Peter Doherty (AGAIG)]

He'll be good for City eventually.Quality player and can't wait to see him performing for us.

Would you mind giving us a Doug sneak preview based on your visits to the training ground?

Would love to but he has never completed a training session I have been to.That's actually not that many but last time I saw him he looked top quality so I reckon we are in for a treat once he starts playing games.

He's the player I was most looking forward to seeing out of the summer transfers. Fingers crossed he gets over these little niggles soon.

[Ted Hughes]

Can the people making up stories about Jovetic being 'scared' just pack it in ? There is too much of this fucking nonsense starting to creep around the net & it's City fans who are peddling it. You are being used.

He is not 'scared' of playing for City, he has already done it & was man of the fucking match. If 'scared' means attempting a few too many back heels, then yes, he bottled it. Did he look worried v England at Wembley ?

He was starring in European games at places like Anfield when we were struggling to get in the top six.

[Beefymcfc]

I'd be tempted to give him a bit more time and make sure these niggling injuries are done for once and for all. He's a very good player who is going through a difficult period but I'm sure he can be a main stay in our team once he's sorted.

Not sure where the 'He's not settled' thing has come from, seems to be the medias imagination running wild.

[Ted Hughes]

I'd be tempted to give him a bit more time and make sure these niggling injuries are done for once and for all. He's a very good player who is going through a difficult period but I'm sure he can be a main stay in our team once he's sorted.

Not sure where the 'He's not settled' thing has come from, seems to be the medias imagination running wild.

Someone has started stirring shit 'not settled' 'nervous' etc, & planted the seed amongst City fans. Around the net, I've seen it repeated & heard it in pubs as a throwaway comment; it's some fucker from outside the club trying to cause trouble because we are running too smoothly.

Re the actual injuries, it could be he's been told not to take the slightest risk, to makes sure he actually stays fit once he gets fit.

[Beefymcfc]

I'd be tempted to give him a bit more time and make sure these niggling injuries are done for once and for all. He's a very good player who is going through a difficult period but I'm sure he can be a main stay in our team once he's sorted.

Not sure where the 'He's not settled' thing has come from, seems to be the medias imagination running wild.

Someone has started stirring shit 'not settled' 'nervous' etc, & planted the seed amongst City fans. Around the net, I've seen it repeated & heard it in pubs as a throwaway comment; it's some fucker from outside the club trying to cause trouble because we are running too smoothly.

Re the actual injuries, it could be he's been told not to take the slightest risk, to makes sure he actually stays fit once he gets fit.

Seems a little wierd. If it was down to nerves etc wed have heard more from him on the training ground. His absence from training clearly shows it's a physical issue, not a mental one.

[Original Dub]

He'll be good for City eventually.Quality player and can't wait to see him performing for us.

Hopefully he's ready for the rest of the season. He's been so unlucky.

It kind of reminds me of when tevez joined and injured himself in pre season. Even though he wasn't out for as long, it took him a while to get to his real level and a number of folk on here were questioning his ability.
One even said he was just an expensive paul dickov!

When you've been that unlucky starting with a new club, it's support that's needed, not rumours being spread by your own fans ffs.

I hope he gets a good run now and shows the doubters exactly what he can do.

[Tesl]

One even said he was just an expensive paul dickov!

Hahaha. I didn't used to post back then but I remember reading that too, I guess it puts most of the nonsense written on here into perspective sometimes.

He has to get fit eventually, makes me wonder if hes pushing himself too hard to get fit and look sharp which then is having the opposite effect instead.

He'll make it!

[Slim]

He'll be good for City eventually.Quality player and can't wait to see him performing for us.

Hopefully he's ready for the rest of the season. He's been so unlucky.

It kind of reminds me of when tevez joined and injured himself in pre season. Even though he wasn't out for as long, it took him a while to get to his real level and a number of folk on here were questioning his ability.
One even said he was just an expensive paul dickov!

When you've been that unlucky starting with a new club, it's support that's needed, not rumours being spread by your own fans ffs.

I hope he gets a good run now and shows the doubters exactly what he can do.

What was said was he was a better version of Darius Vassell, and as much as he had shortcomings(Darius), it was intended to highlight the fact that Tevez worked like a dog to defend from the front and chase down balls that 99% of the time he wouldn't get or would come to nothing, but that 1% of the time he was the guy in the right place at the right time.

It was not intended as a slight and never was, just dumb cunts that really should be battered by actually dumb cunts for besmirching their good name took it and ran with it and I never could be bothered turning it around.

[Original Dub]

He'll be good for City eventually.Quality player and can't wait to see him performing for us.

Hopefully he's ready for the rest of the season. He's been so unlucky.

It kind of reminds me of when tevez joined and injured himself in pre season. Even though he wasn't out for as long, it took him a while to get to his real level and a number of folk on here were questioning his ability.
One even said he was just an expensive paul dickov!

When you've been that unlucky starting with a new club, it's support that's needed, not rumours being spread by your own fans ffs.

I hope he gets a good run now and shows the doubters exactly what he can do.

What was said was he was a better version of Darius Vassell, and as much as he had shortcomings(Darius), it was intended to highlight the fact that Tevez worked like a dog to defend from the front and chase down balls that 99% of the time he wouldn't get or would come to nothing, but that 1% of the time he was the guy in the right place at the right time.

It was not intended as a slight and never was, just dumb cunts that really should be battered by actually dumb cunts for besmirching their good name took it and ran with it and I never could be bothered turning it around.

I wasn't thinking of you. I was thinking of one guy in particular who was most definitely trying to say we'd wasted our money and he was an inferior player to how those of us who had watched him closely were saying.