Source: Daily_Mail
Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini warns his World Cup stars are still unfit
Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini believes his World Cup players still have a way to go to achieve peak fitness. [LNB] England duo Gareth Barry and Shaun Wright-Phillips were given an extended break after the tournament in South Africa. The same applied to Carlos Tevez, Kolo Toure and summer signings, Yaya Toure and David Silva. [LNB] Barry and Silva played only part of the Europa League play-off first leg against Timosoara on Thursday, which City won 1-0. [LNB] Summer in South Africa: Gareth Barry (left) and Carlos Tevez (right)[LNB] Mancini said: 'Those who played in the first half like Gareth and David played well. But I think all the players who played in the World Cup need time (to build up their fitness). [LNB]'We also need time for the players to get to know each other and to improve as a team.'[LNB]Next up for City are Liverpool at Eastlands on Monday and Mancini is hoping Mario Balotelli will be fit for the match. [LNB]The former Inter Milan striker took a kick on the knee in Romania after scoring the winner on his debut. [LNB]Balotelli, 20, looked the part but Mancini insists the player is on a learning curve in England. [LNB] Touch and go: Mancini (left) hopes Balotelli (right) will be fit for the clash with Liverpool on Monday after the new signing tooka knock to the knee in midweek[LNB]'He is a good player, even though he is young,' added the City boss. 'But he needs to know about the Premier League.'[LNB]England midfielder James Milner is set to make his debut against Roy Hodgson's side after completing his protracted move from Aston Villa on the eve of the Europa League match. [LNB]Milner is the club's sixth high-profile signing of the summer as they attempt to clinch a place in the Champions League. [LNB]Jerome Boateng (knee) and Aleksander Kolarov (ankle) are again ruled out through injury after sitting out the match in Romania. [LNB] [LNB] City have kept two clean sheets since Joe Hart replaced Shay Given between the posts and Mancini added: 'Touch wood this will continue in the next game. It is important.'[LNB]While Hart and the rest of the group returned home following the Europa League match, Given was heading to Munich on his own. He was seeing a specialist in Germany after leaving Timisoara on an early morning flight. [LNB]The Republic of Ireland international told City fans at the airport he was having further treatment on his shoulder. He needed an operation after dislocating it in April in the 0-0 draw against Arsenal. [LNB] Ireland fury at City: 'Milner is in for a shock and I'm glad to be out of there' Sir Alex Ferguson sticks boot into Roberto Mancini's Manchester City by praising Mark Hughes's spell as bossDes Kelly: It's good to talk! Ferguson should move on and speak to the BBC CLICK HERE FOR ALL THE WEEKEND PREMIER LEAGUE TEAM NEWS[LNB]
