Slowly but surely, the squad is beginning to take on a healthier look - and is set to have a very competitive feel to it. After Patrick Vieira's return to training, defensive pair Joleon Lescott and Wayne Bridge are set to return over the next week:
WAYNE Bridge is set to shrug off the problems of his personal life and return to action for the Blues at Hull on Saturday.
City could also welcome back £24million defender Joleon Lescott at the KC Stadium, but are still likely to be without Patrick Vieira, despite his return to full training yesterday.
But Bridge’s injury is progressing nicely and he is expected to return to the left back slot. Lescott, out for the same period after knee surgery, is also pushing for inclusion in Roberto Mancini’s 20-man squad.
Both defenders have been back in full training, and have impressed fitness coach Ivan Carminati, who told M.E.N. Sport:
“Joleon started with us last week with a warm-up and this week is 100 per cent with us in full training. When you have been out for more than a month, as he has, you need time, but I spoke to him yesterday and he is very happy.
“His knee is very strong, and unless things change he could be involved in the next game, and so could Wayne Bridge. They have a good chance for Hull, but if not, for Bolton next Tuesday. In a very short time they will be in the 20 and then Roberto will decide.”
The past few games have exposed some of the shortcomings in Javi Garrido's game so you would say Bridge's inclusion is an obvious one (depending upon his frame of mind of course).
For Lescott though it isn't quite as simple. He is synonomous with some of our defensive struggles earlier in the season, and a piece in the MEN highlighted his struggles as they rated the defensive pairings this season (something I'll more on tomorrow). His injury has allowed others to come in and stake their claim for a position.
Can you really justify benching Vincent Kompany - or even Dedryck Boyata - to accomodate Lescott? I'm not one who doubts his ability or that he will be a success with us, but he is surely going to have bide his time before he is back in the starting line-up again.
For Lescott though it isn't quite as simple. He is synonomous with some of our defensive struggles earlier in the season, and a piece in the MEN highlighted his struggles as they rated the defensive pairings this season (something I'll more on tomorrow). His injury has allowed others to come in and stake their claim for a position.
Can you really justify benching Vincent Kompany - or even Dedryck Boyata - to accomodate Lescott? I'm not one who doubts his ability or that he will be a success with us, but he is surely going to have bide his time before he is back in the starting line-up again.