Even if the England international is out for the worst-case scenario of six weeks, he may make it in time for the last week of the season, when City will take on Aston Villa, Spurs and West Ham.
But the Manager, while disappointed to be without Lescott’s services for the second time since taking the reins at City, is confident that the players he does have at his disposal will step into the breach.
He said: “I think there is a good chance that Joleon could play in the last two weeks of the season. Javi played well at Fulham but we may need a few players to come into the side.
By Monday we will have had three games in just over a week and I will need everyone who is fit ready to play. There will probably be some changes for tomorrow’s game.
...Roberto Mancini
“To lose Wayne and now Joleon like this is bad news, and I think we’re a bit unlucky, but that’s football.”
Mancini was forced to change his side at Craven Cottage at the last minute when Lescott’s injury forced him out, but he had already made other changes with one eye on an important phase of the season. Nigel de Jong started the game on the bench, and the Manager was happy to give him some valuable rest while being able to keep the team strong by calling on Patrick Vieira’s services.
“Nigel and Gareth have both played a lot of games this season,” added the manager. “This time I thought it would be good for Nigel to be rested and recover. Patrick was fresh for the last game and it was easy for me to bring him in, give Nigel some rest, but keep the team strong.”
