City host County in Cup Replay
- By A.D. Winn on February 19, 2011 22:57 GMT
Manchester City are warming up for a 4th round replay at home against a side that are 59 places lower in the league structure - though manager Roberto Mancini will want to make quick work of Notts County.
The sides first squared off at Meadow lane in late January, where Edin Dzeko's first goal in City colours cancelled out Neal Bishop’s 59th minute goal.
City will be looking to get names back on the score sheet after a drab 0-0 draw in their midweek Europa League match against Aris. To add firepower up front, Italian striker Mario Balotelli is expected to return to match fitness, whilst winger Shaun Wright-Phillips may also feature in the tie.
Nigel de Jong may be rested as he fights to beat an ankle injury, and he may be joined on the sidelines by fellow midfielder James Milner.
Former Manchester United, Inter Milan and Liverpool midfielder Paul Ince, now in charge at Notts County, has compared his rival for tomorrow’s match to one of his previous bosses.
“I am looking forward to locking horns with Roberto Mancini again,” Ince admitted this week. “I admire him. He knows what he wants. He is getting his rewards now for staying strong. The egos are under control after the in-fighting.”
“[Mancini] reminds me of Fergie. He had big characters like Roy Keane, Peter Schmeichel, and [Steve] Bruce in the dressing room but kept it under control.”
His League One side, currently 18th in the division after achieving promotion last year, will have Liam Chilvers available again after a knee injury, and could be joined by Lewis Gobern who has shaken off a leg injury suffered in County’s recent match against Exeter.
Ince’s men won 2-0 in midweek over Colchester, ending a 6-match winless streak. They face a City side who are unbeaten in 5 matches at Eastlands.
The winner will have a home tie against Aston Villa in the fifth round.
Form
All Competitions:
Manchester City: DDWLD (7 goals for, 5 against)
Notts County: DDDLW (5 goals for, 5 against)
FA Cup:
Manchester City: DLDWD (9 goals for, 9 against)
Notts County: LWWWD (8 goals for, 7 against)
