Pearce may go for same-again City

Manchester City manager Stuart Pearce could be tempted to field an unchanged side against Middlesbrough tomorrow.

The under-pressure boss is aiming to avoid a sixth straight league defeat and was heartened by a spirited performance in midweek even though they went down to Chelsea.

Goalkeeper Andreas Isaksson is set retain his place between the posts while Emile Mpenza could again operate as a lone striker.

Provisional squad: Isaksson, Weaver, Richards, Dunne, Distin, Ball, Trabelsi, Barton, Ireland, Beasley, Samaras, Corradi, Sun Jihai, Dabo, Vassell, Hamann, Dickov, Sturridge, Mpenza, Miller.

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