City´s Lescott out for up to five weeks

Manchester City defender Joleon Lescott was ruled out Tuesday for “four to five weeks” with a hamstring tendon problem, according to manager Roberto Mancini.

City had hoped to have the 24 million pounds Lescott back for next Monday’s home clash with Wigan after he limped out of the warm-up at Fulham ahead of a 2-1 win last weekend with hamstring trouble.

But a scan has revealed the full extent of Lescott’s injury and Mancini, whose side continue their quest for a Champions League place at home to Everton on Wednesday, said on Tuesday: “Joleon, I think, is out for at least four weeks with a problem with the muscle tendon.

“He went to see a doctor in London and he said it will be four or five weeks before he can come back.

“We are unlucky because Joleon is an important player for us.”

City play Everton, the club from which they signed Lescott in controversial fashion in August, on Wednesday.

Everton manager David Moyes was severely critical of City’s conduct at the time. His side collected just 15 points from their opening 14 league games, although they are now making a late push for European football next season

“Damage was done by that transfer,” Moyes said Tuesday.

“I think it had a lot to do with how we started the season, it wasn’t just injuries. It took us a long time to recover.

“Our away form hasn’t been as good as our home form,” the Scot added.

“That could have had a lot to do with the instability we had at the start with new defenders coming into the team.

“It was a bit unfair on Sylvain Distin and Johnny Heitinga, being thrown straight into it when the team was short of one or two players.

“But we are talking about something that happened 10 months ago. I’m now stopping talking about it.”