Pelligrini may turn to Pozo

MANCHESTER City are in a rich vein of form going into tomorrow’s Barclays Premier League lunchtime fixture against Crystal Palace.

Safely through to the last 16 of the Champions League and having cut Chelsea’s lead at the top of the domestic table to three points, things are looking good for Manuel Pellegrini’s team.

But an injury crisis – particularly among the strike force – means City will enter the busy Festive period seriously under strength.

Main marksman Sergio Aguero will be missing for some time with a knee problem, while Edin Dzeko (calf) and Stevan Jovetic (hamstring) are also likely to be ruled out of tomorrow’s showdown with Palace at the Etihad Stadium.

That could mean a call-up for Spanish teenage striker Jose Angel Pozo, who has been pressed into service recently, often from the substitutes’ bench.

Pellegrini could, conceivably, play without a striker and pack his midfield with attack-minded players.

Yaya Toure, Frank Lampard and David Silva all have an eye for goal so despite their depleted resources, City retain a potent threat.

At the other end of the pitch, captain Vincent Kompany is expected to sit it out again with a recurrence of a hamstring problem.

Palace, managed by former Athletic boss Neil Warnock, go into the game fifth from bottom of the Pemier League, just one point above the relegation zone.

And they will have to cope without injured striker Marouane Chamakh, who is expected to miss the entire Festive programme.

Palace have won only one of their last 10 Premier League matches, but have drawn three of their last four.

And they do have hope for a positive result in the shape of hitman Fraizer Campbell, who scored three times against City while playing for Cardiff last season.