Yaya Touré and Sergio Agüero are unavailable for Manchester City’s trip to Stoke City on Saturday because of injury, though Joe Hart is fit to play following a hamstring problem.
In all Manuel Pellegrini has six players injured and a seventh, Eliaquim Mangala, is suspended. Touré has a muscle injury and Agüero is still recovering from a kick on the foot he received during the 3-1 victory against Southampton last Saturday. The Argentinian is also a doubt for Tuesday evening’s final Champions League group match against Borussia Mönchengladbach at the Etihad Stadium.
Pellegrini said: “Yaya Touré has a muscle problem. Sergio is recovering from his heel. He had pain so it is not easy for him to work. That is why he delays a little bit more. Maybe for next weekend we will see. We will see if he can be fit for Tuesday.”
Regarding Hart the manager said: “Joe worked yesterday [Thursday] and today without any problems so he is in the squad list. He can play.”
Vincent Kompany remains out because of a calf problem and Pellegrini again pointed to when the central defender played for Belgium against Israel in October against his wishes. Asked if Kompany’s continuing injury concerns might in the future cause Pellegrini to question if the captain is worth the risk, the manager said: “I always I think it was a risk when he returned from the national team, not in this last time when he didn’t play the other time. It was too soon for him to play but they take another decision. I hope that it will be an example for the future.
“Of course because he is a very important player for our team. We don’t depend on Kompany because we have other players that are doing well and we have an important defence but always the team is better with Kompany. That is why he is so important in our team. I hope that after this injury he can have a normal season but you never know what will happen. The team of course needs him.”
Jesús Navas, who had an ankle problem, and Fernando, who had taken a knock, are in the squad for Stoke. “Both are in the squad list without a problem,” said Pellegrini. “The injuries are Pablo Zabaleta and Vincent Kompany, Mangala is banned so he cannot play, Samir Nasri and Patrick Roberts and Sergio Agüero. And Yaya.”
City are the Premier League leaders, have qualified for the Champions League knockout phase, and are in the Capital One Cup semi-finals, with their FA Cup campaign to start next month. Pellegrini was asked whether they could be contenders to win an unprecedented quadruple. “I think the best way to do it is not to think it but the best way to do it is to be focused on your next game,” he said. “We are very happy to continue in all the competitions but we are not thinking if we can win the next four. The most important thing is to continue with options in all the games you play.”
