Source: Team_Talk
Mancini: City stars still not fully fit
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.[LNB]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]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]"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]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."
