City's big two ready for return

Stuart Brennan

November 04, 2009

UP AND RUNNING: Kolo Toure and Emmanuel Adebayor

KOLO Toure and Emmanuel Adebayor are winning their battle to be fit for Saturday's Eastlands clash with Burnley.

The two African aces missed Sunday's draw at Birmingham but were expected back in full training on Wednesday.

Toure was still feeling the effects of the recurrence of a heel injury which saw him limp off in the previous week's home game with Fulham, while Adebayor suffered back spasms last week to rule him out of the trip to St Andrew's.

The Blues were given two days off after Sunday's game, but were booked in for a double training session on Wednesday.

Young striker David Ball is out for six weeks with a broken metatarsal which ruled him out of Tuesday night's reserve derby and next week's trip to face the United Arab Emirates in Abu Dhabi.

The 19-year-old, who was on the bench for the senior Manchester derby in September, is a target for several league clubs.

Team-mate Adam Clayton has joined League Two side Carlisle on loan until January.

How important are Adebayor and Toure to City's clash with Burnley - and who should they replace? Have your say.

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expatblue , Australia (04/11/2009 at 09:14)

Time to get the 'winning mentality' back on track after 4 frustrating draws. I think there is a secret target of a top four finish at City so we have to put the so-called lesser teams to the sword particularly at home. With Liverpool in a mini crisis it might be our big chance to step-up, but we need to shake Spurs and villa off our tails.

AlexC83, Manchester (04/11/2009 at 09:16)

Don't rush them back for a game against burnley at home. We should be beating them without the pair, who we're gonna have to get used to being without in advance of January/February anyway.

The key is getting Stevie Ireland back in to the team and playing in a three man centre midfield. One of Tevez/Bellamy/SWP have to make way.

Kippax Lover, Failswerf, Manchester (04/11/2009 at 09:27)

November 4th. 4th in the league. Game in hand. Lost once.

Happy days.

Kicker Conspiracy.. , Manchester (04/11/2009 at 09:29)

Ireland back for De Jong I'd say.. much as I like the latter we don't need 2 holding midfielders. Having said that Barry could easily make way as he hasn't been on top form for the last few games. At home against Burnley we need Tevez Adebayour Bellamy SWP and the kitchen sink.

jerseyblue, jersey (04/11/2009 at 09:38)

Given

Toure Kompany Lescott Bridge

De Jong Ireland Zabaleta Barry

Bellamy Adebayor

Peter Beagrie`s beagle (04/11/2009 at 09:42)

I feel we are ready to give someone a trouncing after recent results and Burnley at home would seem to be the one. With Ade and Kolo back we should have a bit more endevour about us.

4-1 to the boys on Saturday. CTID

- Raziola -, Nottm (04/11/2009 at 09:42)

We need to approach the Burnley game like we did with Hull last year and make an example of them by stampint our authority on the game in the first half -

Ireland has to play a with SWP given a break for this one - play Petrov on the left - Tevez behind Ade and Bellamy on the right -

bring it on!

RJKS, St Retford (04/11/2009 at 10:03)

AlexC83, Manchester; On present form it would have to be SWP. It's a big season for Sweep & if he doesn't sort himself out, not only will he miss the world cup he may just be looking for another club next year. Hate to say it because, he is one of our's (although, i didn't like it when he didn't say anything to the fans, youth managers etc, etc when he left for Chelsea). Team for Burnley; Given, Zabaleta, Toure, Lescott, Bridge, Bellamy, Ireland, Barry, Petrov, Tevez, Adebayor; Score; 5-0

43andnotseenowtreally, Heaton Misery (04/11/2009 at 10:03)

Hughesey my friend. Please take time out to analyse the 'should Stevie Ireland start against Burnley' Poll Standings to our right.

Uwe the Goat, Brighton (04/11/2009 at 10:17)

The players need to be told to rip into Burnley and give them hell from the off. Nobody should be looking to conserve energy, all three subs should be brought on immediately in the second half and even more pressure piled on Burnley. (Please note Mark Hughes', substitutions need to be earlier and more frequent! - my major criticism of your management this season.)

I do NOT want to see De Jong in the starting 11 for this one, I DO want to see Stevie Ireland.

My team for this one, and against all minnows - 3-4-2-1
Lescott, Kompany, Toure
Bridge, Barry, Ireland, SWP
Bellamy, Tevez
Adebayor

The players must understand that Burnley will be really up for causing a shock, especially after our recent draws. We have to get at them with maximum intensity and non stop attacking and shooting from the off. 2 goals within the first 20 minutes should be the aim.

It is time to stop pussy footing around! The fans deserve a 7-0 mauling.

Peter Doherty. As good as it gets. (Was it really 37 years?) , Levenshulme (04/11/2009 at 10:23)

November 4th. 4th in the league. Game in hand. Lost once.

Happy days.
Kippax Lover, Failswerf, Manchester
4/11/2009 at 09:27

Glass always half empty, eh?

BristolStevefromOldham, bristol (04/11/2009 at 10:47)

Given

Toure Kompany Lescott Sylvinho

De Jong

SWP Ireland Barry Bellamy

Adebayor

Harry Dowd's Broken Finger, Guildford (04/11/2009 at 10:54)

Don't rush them back for a game against burnley at home. Who we're gonna have to get used to being without in advance of January/February anyway.

AlexC83, Manchester
4/11/2009 at 09:16

The good news for us is Adebayor will be with us throughout January/February because he's not going to the African championships - Togo did not qualify.

MBLUED, UK (04/11/2009 at 11:03)

Given

Toure Kompany Lescott Bridge

De Jong Ireland Zabaleta Barry

Bellamy Adebayor

your having a laugh 7 defensive players at home to Burnley and no width?

Nick from Blackley,, Surrey Hills. (04/11/2009 at 11:04)

Hughes will start with SWP......it took him 6 months last season to work out that Vassell was useless....expect to see SWP in the team till at least Christmas, then the penny might drop ,and Hughes will realise he s a busted flush!!!

STONEY Mancunia (04/11/2009 at 11:16)

Back to buisness on saturday, some teams gonna get clobbered at the council house this season.

Just seen a pic of shrek snr in the paper.Why was he warin long sleeves and gloves at the swamp, thought he was a tough scouser.I put the bins out in just me grunners and vest last night.

MCFC M22.

Shaun, At My Desk (04/11/2009 at 11:16)

With so many of our players putting in well below par performances,it's hard to see where the motivation is going to come from.The manager perhaps? I'd like to pose a question :With the pool of players Hughes has to choose from (forget how much they cost for a minute)is anything but a win against newly promoted Burnley at COMS unacceptable?

kevin cairns, morecambe (04/11/2009 at 11:18)

Is Adriano looking for a new club,if so He would be a good player to bring in if he has come to terms with the death of his father,how about a loan deal from January untill the end of the season,then maybe sign him in the summer depending on how he gets on.

Mr Grumpy, Manchester (04/11/2009 at 11:19)

Wouldnt bother with Barry or De Jong for this one if Kolo is fully fit and does anyone know if Ned is approaching full fitness yet?

Team for Burnley ;-

Given

Zableta Toure Lescott Bridge

Weiss Ireland Komapany Barry

Bellamy Adebayour

- Raziola -, Nottm (04/11/2009 at 11:21)

jerseyblue, jersey
4/11/2009 at 09:38

Jersey blue - is there something about Burnley's leftside that you know that you would care to share with us? Last time I checked Jordan was their left back and a poor one at that

dave clare, perth australia (04/11/2009 at 11:22)

jerseyblue, jersey
4/11/2009 at 09:38

Glad your not the manager, 3 defensive midfielder's just what we need at home. Think about it mate, our attack minded midfield is not the best to say the least at the moment, the last thing we need is more defenders in midfield. If fit, rob on the left, weiss on right, ireland and de jong in the middle, barry out of touch at the moment, if no robinho must play petrov. Play to win and not to lose.

camp bleu, Prestwich (04/11/2009 at 11:30)

Just a thought. After reading Ireland's comments yesterday maybe Hughes has wanted to ease Ireland back into the team. I'd be mighty surprised if he doesn't start against Burnley though. Team for me:

Given, Zabs, Kompany, Lescott, Bridge, Weiss, Ireland, Barry, Petrov, Tevez, Bellamy.

Bench: Adebayor, SWP, De Jong, RSC, Toure, Richards, Taylor

Let's keep the ball on the floor and break Burnley down with incisive passing. Bellers and Tevez can defend from the front (as per the West Ham game) allowing Petrov, Ireland and Weiss to run riot. If this fails, throw on the big man for Bellers.

tommybatess, Langley (04/11/2009 at 11:45)

Camp bleu,you know how to pick em,yep, put our best players on the bench.For starters Vince aint no
Centre Back, Weiss nowhere near ready to start Premiership games and Petrov is a 1in 5 merchant, can't be trusted.

nottingham_blue (04/11/2009 at 11:51)

simply cannot believe the stick wright-phillips is getting. he was easily our best attacker on sunday (i was at the match before anyone asks if i was watching the same game)and while he's not been on top form every game i think he's doing fine so far this season. weiss has looked good in the glimpses i've seen but he's definitely not ready. burnley is a must win so throwing a 19 year old in for his full debut is madness. i agree that ireland must start in place of de jong. toure and ade must play if they're fit

given

zab toure kompany lescott

barry

swp ireland barry petrov

adebayor

subs: taylor, bridge, de jong, johnson, bellamy, santa cruz

tommybatess, Langley (04/11/2009 at 11:51)

Kevin Cairnes,yep,we're down to our last 10 strikers,Adriano,just what we need, another Samba waster.
You must be avin a tin bath mate.

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