Balotelli starts for City

Striker Mario Balotelli returned as Barclays Premier League leaders Manchester City made four changes at West Brom this afternoon.

Balotelli, who scored twice and was sent off at The Hawthorns last season, came in along with Kolo Toure, Pablo Zabaleta and James Milner as Micah Richards, Joleon Lescott, Gareth Barry and Adam Johnson made way.

West Brom, again without midfielder James Morrison, made one enforced change as Billy Jones replaced the injured Steven Reid.

West Brom: Foster, Jones, Olsson, McAuley, Shorey, Brunt, Scharner, Mulumbu, Thomas, Long, Odemwingie.

Subs: Fulop, Dorrans, Jara Reyes, Dawson, Thorne, Cox, Fortune.

Man City: Hart, Zabaleta, Toure, Kompany, Clichy, Toure Yaya, Milner, Nasri, Silva, Aguero, Balotelli.

Subs: Pantilimon, Lescott, Dzeko, Johnson, Savic, Barry, De Jong.

Referee: Lee Mason (Lancashire)