UEFA Cup Round of 16: Hughes On Injury Situation

At today's UEFA Cup Round of 16 press conference the gaffer gave an update on the City squad's injury situation ahead of the pivotal clash with Aalborg...

First the good news. Robinho has been declared fit and is back in training ready for what will prove to be City's toughest European assignment of this campaign.

The brilliant Brazilian had returned to South America last week to see his favoured specialist. Hughesy explained the situation further:

'...it is an injury that on his ankle, if he goes over on it in a certain way then it compromises a previous injury. It is just a reoccurrence, we are not unduly unworried about it and it settled down very quickly after West Ham.

'He had treatment while he was over in Brazil last week, we were in contact with the people he was dealing with over there and we knew exactly where he was. We're pleased he has come back and been able to train immediately because there was a doubt about his availability, but thankfully that is not the case.'

On another positive note, the boss revealed that Craig Bellamy will remain out of action for 'a week to 10 days.' Many Blues had feared that the berserking striker would be out for much longer considering his injury history.

City saw off Aston Villa in some style last week without Bellamy and Robinho and if anything there will be greater concern across Planet Blue over our midfield engine room for Aalborg's visit, let alone Sunday's daunting trip to Stamford Bridge.

The outstanding Vincent Kompany has been playing through the pain barrier with cortisone injections for a couple of weeks and the toe problem he has looks to be taking it's toll:

'Vincent Kompany is struggling with his toe, it is still giving him discomfort so we will have to make a decision as to whether he plays or not...'

...the manager's words would suggest the latter. Furthermore, Nigel De Jong who came off shortly after half time after starring against Villa has injured a knee:

'Nigel is not eligible anyway for Aalborg, but he is a doubt for the weekend.'

This is a worrying development as De Jong missed the 2006 World Cup due to a knee injury. Regardless of what happens on Thursday night, City are facing the prospect of being without both Kompany and De Jong at Chelsea.

How would you address the situation in the City engine room for Aalborg and Chelsea, bearing in mind that both Didi Hamman and Michael Johnson remain sidelined in the long term?

Give us a shout both here and in the Vital MC forums.

Manchester City (from): Given, Hart, Schmeichel, Richards, Onuoha, Dunne, Bridge, Garrido, Zabaleta, Elano, Caicedo, Ireland, Fernandes, Vassell, Weiss, Robinho, Evans, Logan, Berti.


PLEASE CONTRIBUTE TO THE CARL RAMSBOTTOM APPEAL:

On 27 November 2008, Carl travelled over to Germany to watch his beloved side play Schalke in the UEFA Cup, however due to a tragic incident at a German train station, Carl suffered life threatening injuries.

Due to this horrendous incident, Carl ended up in a coma for three weeks. He is currently in a rehabilitation unit in Germany while his family remain by his bedside.

The family are hopeful that Carl might be in a position to be repatriated to a rehab unit within the United Kingdom, hopefully sometime in March.

If you would like to make a donation, please make cheques payable to P&W MCFCCSA and send it to Ian Ramsbottom. 12 Plant Hill Road Blackley M96NH.

Or,if you would prefer to pay by credit or debit card, please click on the following link.

Thank you.

Writer: Johnny Baguette 

Date:Wednesday March 11 2009

Time: 3:56PM

Your Comments

REFWATCH: Officialdom for tomorrow night will be courtesy of Luxembourg: ....and I quote from worldreferee.com... "Alain Hamer has an exceptionally high card average and is known to whistle a lot, sometimes every 1.5 minutes...." ...http://worldreferee.com/site/copy.php?linkID=34&linkType=referee&co... Referee: Alain Hamer (LUX), Assistant referee: François Mangen (LUX), Christian Holtgen (LUX) , Fourth official Albert Toussaint (LUX), UEFA Referee observer Oguz Sarvan (TUR)

Johnny Baguette

REFWATCH: Officialdom for tomorrow night will be courtesy of Luxembourg: ....and I quote from worldreferee.com... "Alain Hamer has an exceptionally high card average and is known to whistle a lot, sometimes every 1.5 minutes...." ...http://worldreferee.com/site/copy.php?linkID=34&linkType=referee&co... Referee: Alain Hamer (LUX), Assistant referee: François Mangen (LUX), Christian Holtgen (LUX) , Fourth official Albert Toussaint (LUX), UEFA Referee observer Oguz Sarvan (TUR)

Johnny Baguette

If Richards is fit then Zab, Ireland, Elano in the middle. If Richards isn't fit then Zab right back and Fernandes in the middle. The rest of the team picks itself except the straight choice between Evans and Caicedo up top - I'd go for big Phil.

MCFC_Goatboy

If Richards is fit then Zab, Ireland, Elano in the middle. If Richards isn't fit then Zab right back and Fernandes in the middle. The rest of the team picks itself except the straight choice between Evans and Caicedo up top - I'd go for big Phil.

MCFC_Goatboy

Agree Goatboy but I would like to see Ched have a longer run as he looked pretty sharp last match.

Doody

Agree Goatboy but I would like to see Ched have a longer run as he looked pretty sharp last match.

Doody

just gald robbie is fit and this could be his second coming for the season.

bluemooner_mcfc

just gald robbie is fit and this could be his second coming for the season.

bluemooner_mcfc

This is precisely the type of top level game that we ned Robinho to star in using his international experience.

Johnny Baguette

This is precisely the type of top level game that we ned Robinho to star in using his international experience.

Johnny Baguette

I also thought Ched looked sharp, whilst on the pitch, against Villa. Worth giving him a start tonight and use big Phil from the bench.

Thaibluefan

I also thought Ched looked sharp, whilst on the pitch, against Villa. Worth giving him a start tonight and use big Phil from the bench.

Thaibluefan

 

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