Balotelli out with virus

Manchester City striker Mario Balotelli will miss the champions’ Premier League clash with Reading this weekend after suffering from a virus.

Captain and defender Vincent Kompany (groin) is hoping to prove his fitness while midfielders James Milner (hamstring) and Gareth Barry (suspension) return.

Forward Samir Nasri (hamstring) will miss the game and the Boxing Day trip to Sunderland while defender Aleksandar Kolarov (knee) is also out this weekend.

Provisional squad: Hart, Pantilimon, Zabaleta, Maicon, Kompany, Nastasic, Lescott, K Toure, Clichy, Milner, Y Toure, Garcia, Barry, Silva, Sinclair, Aguero, Tevez, Dzeko, Razak.