City strength to be tested

MANCHESTER City’s depth of squad looks set to be put to the test over Christmas.

Manager Manuel Pellegrini already knows he will be without top scorer Sergio Aguero for up to two months with a calf injury suffered in last weekend’s 6–3 victory over Arsenal.

And Aguero’s fellow Argentinian Pablo Zabaleta limped out of City’s 3–1 win over Leicester City in the quarter–finals of the Capital One Cup on Tuesday after suffering a hamstring injury.

With Micah Richards also sidelined, Pellegrini has a decision to make about who to field at right–back for tomorrow’s Barclays Premier League trip to Fulham.

Dedryck Boyata took Zabaleta’s place on Wednesday, but there has also been a suggestion that James Milner could drop back into defence.

The midfielder said: “I hope that’s not the case but, if I’m asked to do it, I’ll do that.

“It’s down to the manager.”

It has been a good 10 days for Milner, who scored the winner in City's shock Champions League victory over Bayern Munich, won a penalty against Arsenal and played a key role in two of the goals against Leicester.

Another man taking his opportunity against Leicester was striker Edin Dzeko, who scored twice and will hope he has earned his chance in the Premier League in Aguero’s absence.