Kompany in race to face Roma

MANCHESTER City captain Vincent Kompany is facing a race against time to be fit for his side’s decisive Champions League clash against Roma next week.

Manager Manuel Pellegrini has revealed the influential centre–back will definitely miss tonight’s Barclays Premier League trip to Sunderland and the home game against Everton on Saturday due to the hamstring injury he sustained at the weekend.

That could make him doubtful for next Wednesday’s crucial final Group ‘E’ game in Rome, when City’s Champions League fate will be determined.

Pellegrini was still to learn the full extent of the problem when he held a press conference yesterday to preview the game at Sunderland.

The Chilean said: “It’s very difficult, because I cannot say without the opinion of the doctor how his injury will improve in the next days.

“It depends what degree of muscle injury he has. It’s very difficult to know in this moment if he can play against Rome.

“He is not able to play against Sunderland or against Everton, that’s for sure.”

Kompany was injured in the closing minutes of the 3–0 league win at Southampton on Sunday.

The 28–year–old’s condition is a concern for the club given his importance to the team.

He has had a number of spells out with muscle injuries in recent seasons and his absence is often keenly felt.