Berkovic blow for City

Eyal Berkovic looks set to miss Manchester City’s Premiership match with Birmingham on Sunday after having a minor operation to solve an ongoing groin problem.

Although the Israeli is due to return to training tomorrow, manager Kevin Keegan doubts whether he will be fit to face Steve Bruce’s men, as City look to improve a drastic recent record of four points from their last six games.

“Eyal has an outside chance of being fit for Sunday but it is more likely that he will play against Chelsea the following week,” Keegan told www.mcfc.co.uk

“Without going into detail, it was a minor operation which should clear up the niggling injury and should have him back in training tomorrow.”

The 30-year-old midfielder travelled to Germany for the operation and Keegan will be keen for him to return to the kind of form which inspired City’s mid-season surge up the table and raised hopes of a top-six spot.

Their poor recent form has shattered that prospect, although the dream of them taking European football to their new Eastlands home is still alive as they are still favourably placed in UEFA’s Fair Play table.

If Berkovic does not make it, Keegan will choose between Algerian duo Djamel Belmadi and Ali Benarbia for the vacant playmaker role.

“Hopefully the operation will put Eyal’s mind at rest,” said the City boss.

“When he plays he is more of a free spirit than he has been of late, when he seems to have been more restricted. We have addressed the problem now.”