Mancini puts faith in Robinho

Roberto Mancini’s first major decision as Manchester City boss has been to restore Robinho to the Blues starting line-up for the today’s encounter with Stoke at Eastlands.

Unveiled on Monday after the controversial dismissal of Mark Hughes seven days ago, Mancini has been charged with steering City into the top four.

In order to fulfil the demands of City’s Abu Dhabi-based owners, Mancini needs to get the best out of his club’s record signing.

Carlos Tevez is included in the team but not Emmanuel Adebayor, who does not even make the bench.

Man City: Given, Zabaleta, Toure, Kompany, Sylvinho, De Jong, Barry, Robinho, Ireland, Petrov, Tevez.

Subs: Taylor, Richards, Garrido, Vidal, Bellamy, Weiss, Boyata.

Stoke: Sorensen, Wilkinson, Abdoulaye Faye, Collins, Higginbotham, Sanli, Whitehead, Diao, Whelan, Etherington, Sidibe.

Subs: Simonsen, Huth, Lawrence, Beattie, Fuller, Pugh, Delap.

Referee: Lee Mason.