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. 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. Barry and Silva played only part of the Europa League play-off first leg against Timosoara on Thursday, which City won 1-0. Summer in South Africa: Gareth Barry (left) and Carlos Tevez (right) 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). 'We also need time for the players to get to know each other and to improve as a team.'Next up for City are Liverpool at Eastlands on Monday and Mancini is hoping Mario Balotelli will be fit for the match. The former Inter Milan striker took a kick on the knee in Romania after scoring the winner on his debut. Balotelli, 20, looked the part but Mancini insists the player is on a learning curve in England. 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'He is a good player, even though he is young,' added the City boss. 'But he needs to know about the Premier League.'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. Milner is the club's sixth high-profile signing of the summer as they attempt to clinch a place in the Champions League. Jerome Boateng (knee) and Aleksander Kolarov (ankle) are again ruled out through injury after sitting out the match in Romania. 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.'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. 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. 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