Mancini may shuffle pack
Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini may opt to shuffle his pack for the Barclays Premier League clash with West Brom at the Etihad Stadium.
Mancini, whose side face Wigan in the FA Cup final four days after the Albion match, rested striker Carlos Tevez by dropping him to the bench for Saturday's 0-0 league draw at Swansea, while midfielder Yaya Toure was withdrawn at half-time in that game as a precaution.
One player certain not to feature is Scott Sinclair following confirmation at the weekend that the winger was being treated in hospital for a blood clot on his shoulder.
It remains to be seen whether or not skipper Vincent Kompany lines up.
The defender is keeping an open mind on the matter, but with City keen to cement second place in the table he is sure Mancini will select a "strong" team to face West Brom.
Asked if he expected to play against Albion, Kompany said: "I don't know, but the manager has got loads of options and I am sure that whatever side he puts out will be a strong side.
"It's a game that we have to win. There is no other way to think about this game.
"Until we are safe for that Champions League spot we have to play the games like every other game.
"It (Saturday) is a big, big day for the club - it's massive and everyone realises that.
"But it would be nice to win the game against West Brom. That would set us up really nicely to focus on the final."
West Brom head coach Steve Clarke could name an unchanged squad.
Chris Brunt (knee) and Goran Popov (calf) are unlikely to be back in time for the clash, while Marc-Antoine Fortune is once again suspended.
James Morrison may move up from the bench to the starting XI after recovering from a groin strain and unpopular forward Peter Odemwingie is still waiting for his first action since March 30.
Clarke expects a stiff challenge.
The Baggies' visit to the Etihad is City's last game before the FA Cup final against Wigan on Saturday and Mancini could choose to rotate his squad ahead of the Wembley showpiece.
But Clarke believes there will be no significant drop in quality even if his opposite number does make changes.
"They've got a squad of players that is packed full of internationals," said Clarke.
"Whether Roberto chooses to play his full team in preparation for the final or whether he chooses to make some changes, they will be a strong team.
"They're the champions of last season and they will want to finish well.
"We look forward to a difficult game, but it's a good game for us. Outside of our camp everybody expects us not to get a good result, but we're determined."
Source: PA
