The boss is set to dig deep into his stellar squad’s resources for the third round replay in the FA Cup sponsored by E.ON, with the game against the Foxes sandwiched in-between two in the Barclays Premier League.
Edin Dzeko is not available for selection, and Micah Richardsis still absent with a back injury, but there are plenty of options open to Mancini for an extra game he would preferred not to have had on his plate.
“I don’t like having to have this replay! We must play a lot of games from now until the end of the season. But Leicester played well against us and now we must play again. We want to win because we want to get to Wembley.
“It is very important, as all the games are, and I want to win always. Now for Tuesday we have four, five or six fresh players, and we will change but we want to win.
“Patrick Vieira will probably play. He is an important member of our squad, he is a good player and he has experience. But we also have Jerome, James, David, Jo, Lescott. We have other players that we can win this game, and we want to win.”
Meanwhile, Nigel de Jong does not see involvement in the FA Cup as a distraction from the pursuit of the Barclays Premier League.
“Silverware is silverware and you have to stay in every competition you are in whether it’s the Premier League, Europa League or FA Cup - you have to try to win something,” the midfielder declares. “The guys are hungry for more success.
I don’t know what the gaffer has in mind for Tuesday, but for me it’s just as important as the Premier League, Europa League and Carling Cup.
“The highest point is the World Cup for every footballer, but for me silverware is silverware and you can’t just say we’re going for this trophy or that trophy.
“You have to start somewhere, and not just go for one prize. Winning something would make the guys feel they can win more and be hungry for more success.
“If we start somewhere, with an FA Cup or Europa League, it’s a start, and if you get that feeling right, more success will come.”
