City ease into Europa League group stage

Roberto Mancini is expected to keep faith with Joe Hart when Manchester City travel to Sunderland on Sunday, increasing the chances of Shay Given leaving Eastlands before the transfer window closes.

Mancini delivered a further snub to Republic of Ireland goalkeeper Given by leaving him out of the City side which overcame FC Timisoara 2-0 on Thursday to reach the group stages of the Europa League.

This was despite the fact the Italian made seven changes to his starting line-up, but still decided to leave Given on the bench.

Mancini admits the situation is not ideal but he remains convinced Hart is his new No.1 keeper at the club and will be reluctant to make unecessary changes for his side’s trip to the Stadium of Light, where Sunderland only lost twice last season.

Given appears poised to run out of patience and Mancini said: “I could make changes. We must wait and see because the game is a few days away, but I think some things will change.

“I’m sorry for Shay, but the goalkeeper position is different to the others. “He (Given) knows that very well. Joe knows this too. Maybe now we are in the group stages it is possible to give him games. It is a different situation to the other players.”

One player definitely heading out of Eastlands is Brazilian striker Robinho.

Barcelona, Besiktas, Fenerbahce and AC Milan are all keen on signing the former Real Madrid star and Mancini insists the it is up to the player to decide what he wants to do about his future.

He added: “We must wait. There are still five days to go (before the transfer window closes). We must wait to see what he wants to do. There are two situations and he must decide what he wants to do.

“Barcelona are one of a few clubs interested in him. Some clubs want to take him on-loan, others want to buy him. So we shall see what he chooses to do.”

Mancini’s side will await with interest which opponents they must face in the group stages of the Europa League, but he is confident City will do well and are capable of going all the way to the final.

Liverpool and Juventus are among the favourites, but Mancini is bullish about his side’s chances of success.

“We have a good team. In the Europa League you will have to play against some good teams, but I hope that we can play right until the end and even play in the final,” said the City boss.

“It is not the Champions League, of course, but it is still very important and we want to do as well as we can.”

Mancini could decide to keep faith with Dedryck Boyata after the teenage defender made an impressive first start of the season against Timisoara, which included him scoring the first goal of his professional career.

Mancini added: “I thought he did very well. He’s a good player and showed this tonight. He even scored his first goal, which will be good for him.”

Timisoara manager Vladimir Petrovic said: “I was more than satisfied with how my team played. When we drew Manchester City we knew they were favourites because of the players they have and all the investment they have made.

“But our team was not afraid of them. We have shown that in the future we can be a good solid team.”