City duo back

Sylvain Distin and Shaun Wright-Phillips are certain starters for Manchester City at Southampton tomorrow after missing the Worthington Cup win over Crewe on Tuesday.

Israeli midfielder Eyal Berkovic is also set to make the long trip south despite facing possible Football Association action over his ‘cut-throat’ gesture to home fans during the midweek 3-2 victory.

Manager Kevin Keegan must decide whether to provide record signing Nicolas Anelka with some striking support or leave the Frenchman up front on his own in a bid to maintain security at the back following last week’s 3-0 home defeat by Liverpool.

Danny Tiatto serves the second game a three-match ban following his dismissal against Blackburn on September 15.

Team (from): Schmeichel, Nash, Flowers, Sun, Howey, Mettomo, Distin, Wright-Phillips, Foe, Benarbia, Horlock, Jensen, Kerkar, Berkovic, Huckerby, Shuker, Anelka, Goater, Vuoso.