Only long-term absentees Aleksandar Kolarov and Mario Balotelli are still unavailable, though both should be challenging for a place in the starting line-up before the end of the month.
“Aleksandar started training with the team this week and I think he’ll be ready to play within the next fortnight,” said Roberto Mancini.
“The full-back position has been troublesome this season, but things are looking much better now. We have Wayne Bridge fit again and, as I said, Kolarov will be back very soon, so the situation is improving.
Jerome Boateng should be at one hundred percent for our next game because he’s had another two weeks training since he last played so, again, this is good news for the team
...Roberto Mancini
Pablo Zabaleta’s hamstring strain has responded well to treatment and Micah Richards has also trained well this week, giving the Blues’ boss an embarrassment of riches to pick from this weekend.
“Micah and Pablo have both recovered and are available for Blackpool, too, so we are not far off having a fully fit squad,” said the City boss. “It is important we have as many players to choose from as possible with three games in a week coming up.
“It is great news at such a hectic period of the season and I hope we will have Mario Balotelli ready to play within a fortnight – perhaps even in time for the visit of Arsenal.
“He has recovered well and is not far away from playing now.”
