Mario Balotelli will be on the bench again for Manchester City’s FA Cup third round against Watford today.

Midfielder Samir Nasri (hamstring) could return for Manchester City’s Barclays Premier League trip to Norwich and defender Gael Clichy has also recovered from a knock.

Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany (groin) could return for the Premier League trip to Sunderland on St Stephen's Day after being kept on the bench as a precaution last weekend.

Man City 1 Reading 0

Manchester City 1 Reading 0

Striker Mario Balotelli was conspicuous by his absence at Newcastle as Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini looked for a reaction to their derby day defeat.

Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany should return for the Premier League leaders’ trip to Aston Villa on Sunday.

Manchester City skipper Vincent Kompany was missing with a knee injury as the Blues attempted to consolidate their place at the top of the Premier League by beating Fulham at the Etihad Stadium.

Striker Andy Carroll has been relegated to the bench as manager Kenny Dalglish made minimal changes to his Liverpool side to face Manchester City at Anfield in tonight's Carling Cup semi-final second leg.

David Silva returned for Manchester City at Wigan this evening but stand-in skipper Micah Richards and striker Mario Balotelli were missing from Roberto Mancini’s starting line-up.

MANCHESTER CITY boss Roberto Mancini does not believe Liverpool’s Luis Suarez is racist, but feels it was important he apologised for a mistake in the Patrice Evra affair.

Manchester City hope to have captain Vincent Kompany available for tomorrow’s Carling Cup semi-final first leg against Liverpool after appealing against his impending suspension.

Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini is planning wholesale changes for tomorrow’s Carling Cup quarter-final at Arsenal.

Former England midfielder Owen Hargreaves has been ruled out of Manchester City’s Carling Cup fourth-round tie at Wolves tomorrow.