Fowler ruled out of Asia trophy trip

Robbie Fowler has been ruled out of Manchester City’s FA Premier League Asia Trophy campaign with a back injury.

Fowler, the only senior striker on City’s books following the departures of Paulo Wanchope, Nicolas Anelka and Jon Macken over the last 12 months, tried to train yesterday in the hope he could appear in the friendly at Tranmere.

It eventually proved beyond the former England forward and Blues boss Stuart Pearce does not believe putting the 30-year-old on a 14-hour flight to Thailand tomorrow is the best way of ensuring Fowler is fit for the Premiership opener against West Brom on August 13.

“Robbie has a slight back niggle, which is causing a touch of stiffness in his hamstrings,” said Pearce. “It wouldn’t be commonsense to drag him across to Asia on a plane for 14 hours.”

Fowler has had a scan on the injury and will remain at City’s Carrington training ground for more treatment, with Pearce hoping last season’s top scorer will be available for the friendlies at Stoke and Sheffield Wednesday on July 30 and 31.

It means youngsters Bradley Wright-Phillips and Karl Bermingham, who both featured in last night’s 1-0 defeat at Prenton Park, will get a chance in the Bangkok tournament, which City open with a local derby against Bolton on Wednesday.

Shaun Wright-Phillips could also operate in a more attacking role, with Pearce determined the winger will be on the trip after a £20million bid from Chelsea was turned down last night.

Pearce knows his current striking options are not strong enough to sustain any kind of Premiership challenge and admits he is still searching for new faces.

Trialist Yasser Hussein was given a 45-minute run-out at Tranmere, but the City chief has already decided not to take the midfielder to Thailand.