Ball dilemma for Pearce

Manchester City boss Stuart Pearce must decide whether to hand Michael Ball his debut against Reading tomorrow.

Ball has arrived on a short-term contract from PSV Eindhoven, City’s only major addition during the transfer window, and is vying with Stephen Jordan for the left-back berth.

With only one defeat from their last eight games, Pearce’s men are in form but the striking department is still a concern with Georgios Samaras, Darius Vassell and Bernardo Corradi all struggling for goals this term. Nedum Onuoha (knee) and Trevor Sinclair (groin) are definitely out.

Team (from): Weaver, Isaksson, Richards, Dunne, Distin, Trabelsi, Jordan, Ball, Ireland, Dabo, Vassell, Corradi, Miller, Beasley, Samaras, Johnson, Barton, Hamann, Sun, Abdoun.