Kompany poised to play in Plzen

16 September 2013 19:55

Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany is poised to return to action in his side's opening Champions League game against Viktoria Plzen in the Czech Republic.

The inspirational defender, who has not played since suffering a groin injury in the opening game of the season, has travelled with the squad ahead of the Group D encounter.

Manager Manuel Pellegrini had previously expressed confidence the Belgium international could return for next weekend's derby against Manchester United and now it seems he could be back sooner.

Despite that, Pellegrini said he will not take any unnecessary risks with his key defender.

Pellegrini, speaking at a pre-match press conference at the Doosan Arena, said: "Vincent has worked with us normally for the last two days.

"We will see if he is 100 per cent. If he is, of course he will play. We will talk with the doctor and decide.

"I think he will be 100 per cent, but if he is not he will not play.

"We have a very important match but we have other players if any are not 100 per cent."

Kompany was badly missed as City suffered a shock loss to promoted Cardiff in their second Barclays Premier League game of the season.

Since then they have kept two clean sheets but questions have been asked of their injury-hit defence, most notably in Saturday's goalless draw at Stoke.

Source: PA