Onuoha to partner Distin

Nedum Onuoha is set to start alongside Sylvain Distin in central defence as Manchester City look to leapfrog Bolton by beating the Trotters at the Reebok Stadium.

Richard Dunne (knee) is a major doubt and with David Sommeil suspended and Danny Mills still missing with a broken shin, Onuoha is the obvious replacement.

Claudio Reyna (broken ankle) is missing and while Ben Thatcher returns from a one-match ban, manager Stuart Pearce is likely to stick closely to the side that beat Manchester United last weekend.

Provisional squad: James, De Vlieger, Sun, Dunne, Distin, Onuoha, Jordan, Thatcher, Sinclair, Croft, Barton, Ireland, Musampa, Riera, Cole, Vassell, Fowler, Wright-Phillips.