Toure set to play at Wolves :)

[Mark (Blue Army)]

Captain Kolo Toure will play at Wolves on Monday night.

The central defender will lead the side out at Molineux before heading off to Angola for the African Cup of Nations.

The news is a boost for the Blues who are currently thin on the ground for central defenders as both Joleon Lescott and Nedum Onuoha recover from injury.

Ivory Coast stalwart Toure will though fly out for the tournament before the FA Cup tie at Middlesbrough on Saturday.

“Kolo will be in the team at Wolves,” confirmed boss Roberto Mancini who is still wrestling with a miserably long injury list. “But it will be too early for many of the other injured players to return.”

Roque Santa Cruz, Wayne Bridge, and Emmanuel Adebayor will all be missing as the Blues go in search of completing a double over the Premier League new boys.

The big question mark is against Shaun Wright-Phillips whose recurrence of an ankle injury suffered in the win over Sunderland saw him miss the 2-0 win over Stoke City.

Mancini, who utilised Martin Petrov on the right flank on Boxing Day, is anxious to see the in-form England winger in action.

“We will have to wait and see about Shaun,” he revealed.

"He is an exciting player and I am
looking forward to seeing him come
back into the group. His injury is
improving but we will not rush him"

"If there is any chance of him doing further damage we will not risk him at Wolves. There are a lot of games in January.”

Mancini is relieved that apart from a sore shin for keeper Shay Given the treatment room did not gain any new customers over Christmas.

He is likely to take the same squad to the Midlands as the Blues seek a third win on the trot and a third away Premier League win of the season.

“Success is all about consistency,” concluded the boss. “We had a good start against Stoke, now it is important that we continue our good form at Wolves who are another tough side to play on their own pitch.

“We will travel with confidence though after the win over Stoke.”
from mcfc.co.uk

[Vhero]

Glad he will be there and wonder what we are gonna do after the game if Ned ain't fit? Kompany and Micah in CB?

[Tokyo Blue]

Glad he will be there and wonder what we are gonna do after the game if Ned ain't fit? Kompany and Micah in CB?

Very probably. But I wouldn't rule out any of the young lads. I don't know if he (or any of the other young lads) is good enough, but there is a simple way to find out.

[gillie]

Glad he will be there and wonder what we are gonna do after the game if Ned ain't fit? Kompany and Micah in CB?

Very probably. But I wouldn't rule out any of the young lads. I don't know if he (or any of the other young lads) is good enough, but there is a simple way to find out.

Then again we might have a new CB by Saturday!.

[CityFanFromRome]

Glad he will be there and wonder what we are gonna do after the game if Ned ain't fit? Kompany and Micah in CB?

Very probably. But I wouldn't rule out any of the young lads. I don't know if he (or any of the other young lads) is good enough, but there is a simple way to find out.

Then again we might have a new CB by Saturday!.

Wouldn't bet on it, before the end of January probably yes but Mancini won't rush a panic buy. He will consider the available options calmly and then decide so I don't expect any buy in the very first days of January.

This said I'm glad that Tourè will be there today, after that will probably be Komps and Micah at CB, but I wouldn't rule out at least part of a game for a younger lad, maybe if we are comfortably winning, just to bring him through and see what he can do and if he can be adequate cover for January or if a new buy is necessary.