Mancini backs striker

ROBERTO Mancini is convinced Emmanuel Adebayor just needs a goal to relaunch his Manchester City career.

The Togo star has not appeared to be the happiest player at Eastlands since the transfer window closed and hardly rushed off the field when he was substituted during the second–half of last night’s 1–1 Europa League draw with Juventus.

He is still to score this season and rarely looked like breaking his duck against a well-organised Juve team, who did not commit many men forward once Adam Johnson levelled Vincenzo Iaquinta’s opener.

But Mancini is just happy to have Adebayor back.

“I wouldn’t say it was a frustrating night for him,” said Mancini.

“The main thing he was available after 20 days out.

“I am happy with his performance, but what I would like is for Emmanuel to score a goal. We need him to score goals. This is what we are working for.”

If Adebayor started to find the net, it would take some of the pressure off Carlos Tevez who, with Mario Balotelli sidelined until the end of next month, is carrying much of the attacking burden on his own.



CITY have announced losses of £121m for the 12 months up to May 31, 2010 – up from £92.5m for the previous year.



Wages for the period were £133m against a turnover of £125m.