Rodwell fighting on all fronts

MANCHESTER City travel to Newcastle United tonight looking to rediscover their winning touch and claim a place in the Capital One Cup quarter-finals.

City’s hopes of building momentum after a mixed start to the campaign suffered a fresh setback as they slipped to a last-gasp defeat at Chelsea in the Barclays Premier League on Sunday.

Manager Manuel Pellegrini is expected to make a number of changes with Premier League and Champions League games in mind, but midfielder Jack Rodwell wants to ensure intensity remains high.

Rodwell, who himself hopes to feature after overcoming the latest in a series of hamstring problems, said: “We want to win as many games as possible. Obviously the Champions League and Premier League are the biggies and if you could win any it would be one of those two.

“But you also have the FA Cup, which is important to fans and players — we all want to win that — and obviously we just came up a bit short last year. Then you have got the Capital One Cup, which is a good competition as well. We want to be fighting in every competition."

Under-fire goalkeeper Joe Hart is expected to be one of the players to make way, with Costel Pantilimon ready to step in.

Other players are also likely to come in for what will be City’s fourth away game in 12 days.

Striker Stevan Jovetic, who scored twice against Wigan in round three but has not started since, is likely to get another opportunity. English trio Micah Richards, Joleon Lescott and James Milner are also prime candidates to play.

Captain Vincent Kompany, who has missed the last three games with a groin injury, remains a fitness doubt.