Vassell to miss Cup tie

Darius Vassell seems certain to miss Manchester City’s FA Cup fifth-round tie at Preston on Sunday.

Blues boss Stuart Pearce rates the former England international as “very doubtful” with a hamstring injury.

And, while Emile Mpenza is unlikely to figure even if City tie up the paperwork on a short-term contract, Georgios Samaras and Bernardo Corradi seem certain to be paired up front at Deepdale.

Nicky Weaver (kidneys) is also a major doubt, so Andreas Isaksson should continue in goal.

Nedum Onuoha (hamstring) and Paul Dickov (broken foot) are definitely out.

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