Manchester City have been dealt a double injury blow ahead of their crucial home game against Aston Villa on Saturday – as both Emanuel Adebayor and Gareth Barry are doubts with thigh and hamstring injuries respectively.
The game is huge for both clubs as they look to leapfrog Spurs to a Champions League spot – and the loser will almost certainly be confined to the Europa League.
Roberto Mancini may also throw emergency signing Martin Fulop in as goalkeeper, because inexperienced Faroe Islands stopper Gunnar Nielsen is his only other fit keeper – due to Shay Given’s dislocated shoulder sustained against Arsenal last weekend.
But boss Mancini remains confident and insists City’s season will not be deemed a failure if they finish fifth.
Mancini said: “We want to finish fourth and that is what we are working for, but I don’t think we have failed if we finish fifth.
“But we have improved a lot in the last five months and we must improve more if we want to be a good team. I think the owners can see that.
