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Lech Poznan preview

Putting the issue of a potential move for Wayne Rooney should his United career be all but over aside, City step back into European action with a home fixture against Lech Pozsnan, the first of back to back games against the Polish side.

City currently sit level with tonights opponents on four points from two games (two ahead of Juventus), and it is likely that a return of four points from the pair of games would almost certainly see them on the path to progression with a home tie against Salzburg and a trip to Juventus still to come.

The big decision surrounding the game appears to be whether Roberto Mancini affords Carlos Tevez the evening off. Following the Blackpool game it appeared as though he would, but comments from yesterdays press conference indicate he may be wavering in that regard.

It is clearly a tough call. Tevez's worth and importance is there to see - 28 goals in his past 31 games testament to that - and with Mario Balotelli not yet ready to return (although he may feature against Arsenal on Sunday) the alternatives do not generate much confidence - the out of form Emmanuel Adebayor, out of favour Roque Santa Cruz or possibly likely choice of Jo; no wonder Mancini is weighing up the decision.

That said, Tevez has played every game (West Brom in the Carling Cup apart) and will need to managed carefully. Arsenal on Sunday is clearly a more vital game in terms of the bigger picture, and the nature of the Europa League being a group format, it means that a point this evening could be considered a good return and even a defeat is not the end of the road.

Regardless of the decision, David Silva will surely come back into contention following his cameo at Bloomfield Road as Mancini looks for the victory that will establish a lead atop Group A at the halfway stage. With Kolo Toure ruled out again, little other changes are likely.

I anticipate Tevez will be fielded this evening, Mancini opting rest him further down the line, and should he indeed play, I'd expect him to once again influence the outcome and City should maintain their good home European form and emerge with the points.