Pablo set to mask the pain

[Mark (Blue Army)]

Pablo Zabaleta is ready to face Hull in a protective mask on Saturday after breaking his nose in the 2-0 victory over Portsmouth at the weekend.

Zaby was helped off with blood pouring from a major artery following the accidental clash that left him "stunned" as well as in considerable pain according to those who helped him to the dressing-room.

The popular Argentine, a Premier League ever-present under Roberto Mancini, has still to have surgery and is seeing a specialist today when a special splint is expected to be fitted.

Pablo will also have a protective shield made so that he can join in training at Carrington from tomorrow and be available for selection at the KC Stadium.

But Vincent Kompany is ruled out of Saturday's game as well as Tuesday's home match against Bolton after limping off on Sunday with a groin strain that Mancini initially deemed "serious".

Revised opinion is that the Belgian midfielder, who has been in magnificent form in his international position of centre-half, is more likely to be missing for up to two weeks.

Meanwhile, Patrick Vieira is close to full fitness after overcoming the calf damage that has delayed his debut and the France midfielder is pushing to be pencilled in to play at Hull.

from mcfc.co.uk

It's about fucking time!!!

[Moonchesteri]

Hardly surprised about Zaba doing this. Actually I expected nothing less.

[CityFanFromRome]

It's become usual for footballers with damage to nose and egenrally the bones in the face to sue these masks. I'm just curious to see if he wear a clear one, or a carbon-fiber one as many do in Italy.

Good news about Vieira, it was about bloody time!!

[Crossie]

Id rather take Dougs word on Vieira's fitness. I think im right in saying he hasnt trained fully yet, so theres very little chance he will be playing vs Hull.

Needs a week of training and a reserve game then a couple of 15 min bench appearences i reckon. What a waste of time/money!

[paulh]

not surprised with zab one bit doesnt come across as a soft ar*se. as for Vieira ill se it when i believe it. bet hes laughing his head off in the radisson edwardian whole of floor 14 (from a source who works for hotel chain)

He must need horlicks to help him sleep at night

[Kiss_The_Goat]

Ouch! He took a right smack our Zabba didnt he? I wonder what those masks are like to play in? They must get irritating.

[lets all have a disco]

Bet Zabs has been told to wear the mask by docs,i reckon he would have had a nurofen and played without one.

[CityGer]

Zabba will look the dogs in a mask, I'm all for it.

[Wonderwall]

Pablo Zabalecter

[Mark (Blue Army)]

Pablo Zabalecter

PMSL he's gonna eat Hunt on sat

[avoidconfusion]

Would be even better if his mask would look like this:

[Goaters 103]

Zabba's harder than a coffin nail, a mask or whatever won't bother him.

[DoomMerchant]

can't believe how widely you guys are missing the mark. isnt it obv?

[Douglas Higginbottom]

Id rather take Dougs word on Vieira's fitness. I think im right in saying he hasnt trained fully yet, so theres very little chance he will be playing vs Hull.

Needs a week of training and a reserve game then a couple of 15 min bench appearences i reckon. What a waste of time/money!

No training today or yesterday ( it's such an easy life) so maybe Vieira will train with the team for the first time , with Johnson , tomorrow.

[lets all have a disco]

[shawzy]

[blues-clues]

Iron man (Blue Version)

[avoidconfusion]

[shawzy]

yellowbird.jpg

[Kyle]

yellowbird.jpg

That has to be the winner.... haha