City worry as Silva doubtful for United clash

Playmaker David Silva has been ruled out of Manchester City’s Champions League clash with Borussia Dortmund tonight and could be doubtful for this weekend’s derby against Manchester United.

Manager Roberto Mancini confirmed the Spaniard has not travelled to Germany with the rest of the squad for the final Group D match at the Westfalenstadion due to a hamstring injury.

City will now hope the 26-year-old can recover in time to feature in Sunday’s eagerly anticipated top-of-the-table Barclays Premier League encounter with United at the Etihad Stadium.

Mancini said: “It’s a hamstring. We don’t know if he can recover for the derby. We will try.’

City are also without midfield inspiration Yaya Toure, who is suspended for the match.

Mancini’s side are already eliminated from the Champions League and need to win in Germany to stand any chance of securing a consolation place in the Europa League.

There is a feeling that City might be better served in their Premier League title defence by being out of Europe altogether now, but Mancini has disputed that.

The Italian also insists the upcoming derby has not clouded his thinking for the Dortmund game.

Mancini said: We want to play well tomorrow and try to win.

Mancini knows the difficulties the Europa League can pose after his side also dropped into the second-tier competition last season.

But after being handed a tough Champions League group this season – with Real Madrid and Ajax making up the quartet – he is aware that progress could improve City’s UEFA coefficient and help earn a better draw next time.

He said: “It could be difficult because in the Europa League you play Thursdays and you don’t have a lot of days to recover for the Premier League, but we need to try to stay in the Europa League.”

City have failed to win any of their first five Group D matches and are bottom of the pool with just three points.

To qualify for the Europa League and leapfrog Ajax they need to beat group winners Dortmund and hope Real Madrid, also through to the last 16, prevent the Dutch side winning.

City began the competition with much higher hopes and, given their resources, outside expectations were also greater but Mancini insists he is not embarrassed by the situation.

He said: “Embarrassment for what, I don’t know.

“But we are very disappointed because we wanted to go to the second stage this year.”