Mancini backs loan gambles

MANAGER Roberto Mancini has defended his decision to allow three senior Manchester City stars to leave on loan in January but now bemoans a lack of bodies as a reason for some of his side’s more stuttering performances in recent times, including their 2-0 first-leg defeat to Dynamo Kiev in the Europa League last-16 clash last week that they must try and correct tonight.

Emmanuel Adebayor, Wayne Bridge and Roque Santa Cruz all departed Eastlands in search of regular first-team action, along with three of the younger members of the City squad who were given first-team exposure in the Carling Cup earlier in the campaign.

Fixture congestion has certainly mitigated against City of late but Mancini is adamant he has not been the architect of his own downfall.