City’s injury list could look markedly different after the international break with the news that Pablo Zabaleta is also hoping to be available for the visit of five-times European champions Liverpool.
With Sergio Aguero and David Silva both recovering well following injuries while away with their national teams, Zabaleta is also hopeful of being available for the Etihad clash with the Merseysiders a week on Saturday.
Should Samir Nasri also return to full training in the coming days, it could leave Manuel Pellegrini with only Wilfried Bony side-lined after a frustrating past six weeks or so for the City boss.
We know that we have so much quality going forward and can score goals anytime so to be defensively strong as well is how we need to be every time we play.
Lord Pablosworth of Zabaletashire
Gael Clichy and Fabian Delph also returned to the squad last weekend after lengthy lay-offs and Zabaleta’s optimism seems a world away from the initial fears he’d suffered a serious knee injury after being stretchered off against Palace almost a fortnight ago.
“I am doing OK, progressing well and trying to be fit for the visit of Liverpool after the international break. We’ll see how it goes in the next week or so,” said Pablo.
“At the moment the plan is to re-join the rest of the team next Monday so hopefully, everything will go well and I’ll be available for our next game.”
With the Argentina international only playing six times so far this season due to knee and ankle problems, he admits he’s been impressed with the team’s defending, particularly in recent weeks.
“Defensively we’ve been really solid, especially in the last few games, but that’s exactly what we need,” he said,
“We know that we have so much quality going forward and can score goals anytime so to be defensively strong as well is how we need to be every time we play.
“Defending well and keeping clean sheets is important for the team and gives our more creative players a solid foundation to work on so this is something we need to continue.”
