Triple blow for Manchester City

Manchester City will be without Kolo and Yaya Toure for this weekend’s FA Cup clash with cross-town rivals Manchester United.

The Ivory Coast internationals will represent their nation in the African Cup of Nations this later this month, but Roberto Mancini had hoped to delay their departure for the tournament.

However, national coach Francois Zahoui has rejected the Etihad Stadium club’s request, and the pair will leave England before the cup game.

“Clubs know the rules. I’m expecting them for the Fifa deadline,” Zahoui told BBC Sport.

With Gareth Barry suspended and Owen Hargreaves not fit, Mancini has admitted to have concerns over the depth of his squad.

“We have 17 players,” the Italian coach told reporters.

“I do not know how it is going to work. I always said we could have a problem in January. Yaya is an important player for us.

“Kolo is different. We have eight defenders and if we are lucky, we don’t have any injuries. But in midfield we have a big problem. On Sunday we only have James Milner and Nigel de Jong available,” he concluded.

Meanwhile, Mario Balotelli is also struggling to be fit in time for the game, and The Guardian states that the Italy international will be unavailable also.

The temperamental forward has missed the Premier League leaders’ last two games due to an ankle injury, and looks set to watch the United clash from the sidelines.

By Gareth McKnight