City allay Kompany fears ahead of Wigan clash
It had been speculated the 26-year-old central defender might be given a rest, having defied a knee injury he picked up against Real Madrid last week to play the whole 90 minutes at Chelsea on Sunday.
The Belgian was man of the match in that 0-0 draw and City’s first-team coach David Platt says a second match in quick succession will not present a problem.
“It’s not a case of it being too much at all,” said Platt yesterday.
“Vinnie would have still been feeling the effects of the injury that he picked up last Wednesday in the Chelsea game but he got through the game, and got through it very well.
“There were no after effects and he iced it straight afterwards as a precaution. We don’t really have any concerns for him.”
One man not fit for the trip tonight is fellow defender Gael Clichy who is struggling with an ankle injury that kept him out of the last two games.
Meanwhile. despite being left out of the squad that travelled to Chelsea at the weekend, Joleon Lescott is expecting a fierce test tonight.
“Wigan gave us a really tough game last season and we just edged the game 1-0 and were hanging on towards the end,” Lescott said.
“They always seem to play better against top teams and have a lot of talent in their side, plus a very good manager who likes his team to play attractive football.
“They proved that against United last season when they did us a massive favour in the title race by beating them last April, but fully deserved it so we can’t and wouldn’t underestimate them.
“These games are a chance to showcase how good they can be and occasionally they really surprise people, like they did by beating Spurs away last month.
“I’ve won there a number of times so it’s not been a bad ground for me but it’s going to be hard for me to break back into the team with Matija (Nastasic) playing so well, but if I’m called upon to do a job, I’m fit and ready.”
Wigan’s task of taking the scalp of the Premier League champions hasn’t gotten any easier after it emerged that Ivan Ramis and Shaun Maloney have been added to a lengthy injury list.
Maloney is struggling with a groin strain while defender Ramis’ hamstring problem rules him out.
In better news for the club, MLS side Sporting Kansas City have revealed that midfielder Roger Espinoza is in the process of piecing together a move to the Latics.
Wigan took an interest in Espinoza after he impressed for Honduras at the 2012 Olympics but were unable to put a deal in place. They should complete the switch once the January transfer window opens for business.
“He called and told me that he’s basically decided that he’s going to Wigan,” Sporting KC manager Peter Vermes told the Kansas City Star.
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