Manchester City manager Mark Hughes has admitted that he will have to wrap Gareth Barry in cotton wool this season after the former Aston Villa star returned from international duty with an injury.
Barry has been a virtual ever-present for City so far this term but picked up a niggle during England's friendly defeat to Brazil on Saturday.
Hughes told City's official website:"Gareth came back from his international with a little bit of soreness.
"We'll have to manage that and it's important that we do because there'll be certain games where Gareth will be rested.
"It's a long season and a lot of the distance that the team travels lands at Gareth's feet. He's more than capable of coping with that, but there are going to be times where we'll have to protect him.
"He has a slight problem with his groin but it shouldn't be a problem for the weekend, but looking ahead there will be times when we'll look to protect him.
"We're mindful of the fact that Gareth has played so much for us and for England already this season.
"Luckily we have the squad and the players where we can do that, and we want to keep him fresh and well for key games."
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