Platt plays down absences

MANCHESTER City are refusing to worry about Manchester United or missing players as they attempt to haul themselves back into the title race.

The reigning league champions recorded a routine 3–0 victory over Stoke on New Year’s Day and remain seven points behind leaders United.

In coming weeks seeveral players will be missing: midfield inspiration Yaya Toure is set to join Ivory Coast for the African Nations Cup with his brother Kolo, the defender, and back–up forward Abdul Razak.

Star striker Sergio Aguero limped off with a hamstring injury shortly after scoring the third, a penalty, against Stoke and will definitely miss Saturday’s cup tie with Watford.

Other players are currently sidelined, but first–team coach David Platt insists there is no panic.

Platt said: “We have a squad of players we will have to choose 11 from. Whichever 11 we put on the park we would expect to take the points.”

City won’t know the full extent of Aguero’s injury until tomorrow, but he may also struggle to make the January 13 trip to Arsenal.