Sun set to start for City

China international Sun Jihai is set to deny Irishman Willo Flood a first Barclays Premiership start at Southampton.

With Antoine Sibierski (ribs), Trevor Sinclair (knee) and Claudio Reyna (hamstring) all ruled out, City boss Kevin Keegan must decide whether to place his faith in 19-year-old Flood or reward Sun for his excellent performance off the bench against Arsenal last weekend.

The signs are that Sun will win the duel, the only change from the side defeated by the Gunners.

Rarely-used midfielder Christian Negouai has been called into Keegan’s squad although the former Charleroi man may not even make the bench if Steve McManaman agrees to a seat on the sideline despite his ongoing battle to recover from an Achilles complaint.

Team (from): James, Waterreus, Mills, Distin, Dunne, Thatcher, Sun Jihai, Barton, Bosvelt, McManaman, Negouai, S Wright-Phillips, Macken, Anelka, Flood, Jordan, B Wright-Phillips.