Mancini puts derby to back of mind

10 April 2010 10:10
Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini is confident his players will put thoughts of the derby to one side when they face Birmingham on Sunday.[LNB] With fourth place in the Premier League table the goal, Mancini is looking for nothing less than a victory at Eastlands. He believes a win over the Midlanders will then give them the confidence they need for next weekend's clash with United.[LNB]Mancini said: "I hope we have improved in the last three or four months. To improve you need to work every day. In the next six months, a year, we can improve a lot.[LNB]"Now we are focused on Birmingham, not United, as the next game is the most important. This will be a difficult match and after we will think about United."[LNB]Mancini is hoping Carlos Tevez can stay injury-free until the end of the season and he has also hailed the recent contribution of Craig Bellamy, who took his tally to 10 goals at the weekend.[LNB]There have been suggestions the pair do not get on, but Mancini said: "I have a good relationship with him and the other players as I respect them all.[LNB]"I am very happy with Craig. He works very well in training and that is important for me. It is vital a player works for the team."[LNB]Brazilian full-back Sylvinho is struggling to be fit in time after suffering a calf injury at Turf Moor while Micah Richards is also doubtful with a knee problem.[LNB]Pablo Zabaleta remains sidelined through suspension while Stephen Ireland has an ankle injury and misses out.[LNB]Meanwhile, City's young Swedish striker John Guidetti is set to finalise a loan move back to his homeland.[LNB]The 17-year-old was set to sign for Djurgarden - but instead it now looks as if he will instead join their rivals Brommapojkarna.

Source: Team_Talk