Eriksson encouraged by Dunne recovery

Manchester City boss Sven-Goran Eriksson hopes to see his injury problems ease as his side prepare to embark on a hectic final two months of the year beginning at home to Reading on Saturday.

City have seven Premier League games and one Carling Cup quarter-final to squeeze in before the new year and Eriksson knows how hard it will be to maintain their early momentum.

However, with Richard Dunne due back for the Reading game after missing the midweek internationals with a calf injury, and Nedum Onuoha and Michael Johnson also on the recovery trail, things are looking up.

Eriksson told City’s official website www.mcfc.co.uk: “We have a lot of games coming up. It is an important few games for us now with no more international breaks, which is a good thing.

“If we can keep the team fit and keep doing well then I will be thinking very positively. I will be very happy if we can stay where we are.”

Eriksson expects Dunne to be back in his line-up for the Reading match after limping off during the goalless draw against Portsmouth. He said: “Richard will be fit.

“He trained on Monday and Tuesday but we gave him a day off on Wednesday because he is not quite 100% yet.

“He has had to take it easy a little bit, but I hope he can play against Reading on Saturday and I think he will play.”

Meanwhile City have revealed Onuoha and Johnson could be back for the December 1 trip to Wigan.

“I am almost sure that Nedum and Michael Johnson will not be ready for tomorrow but will be available for the week after at Wigan,” Eriksson added.

“The doctors and physios think that another week will see them both fit and that is good news because we are going to need everyone over what will be a busy period.”