Key men to return for Mancini

Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini has played down his side’s injury troubles ahead of a difficult away fixture against Stoke.

Argentina striker Sergio Aguero has been unable to play since picking up a knee injury in City’s opening game of the season against Southampton, but fellow forward Mario Balotelli could return after undergoing eye surgery.

Mancini was reluctant to say whether his new additions – midfielder Javi Garcia and defenders Maicon and Matija Nastasic – will feature in tomorrow’s match.

“We will try this morning with Sergio and will decide after training (if he can play),” he said.

“He is getting better … Mario is fine … Mario can see everything now.

“They are okay. Garcia is okay. Maicon is the same … Nastasic was fine yesterday in his first session, but they are okay. We will have to decide (if they will play), because today is our first training session together after the international break and I want to wait until after it before I decide, because we have a lot of players that are on the other side of the world.

“After the international break every game is difficult. We had six or seven players here who we worked with and today is the first training session where we will have all of our players. It is very difficult – every game after the international break.”

City were held 1-1 at Stoke in March, as Tony Pulis’ team provide an obstacle on the path to the league title.

“Stoke is one of the worst fixtures in the Premier League because it is very difficult to play there,” Mancini said.

“They are a strong team and for us – and all other teams – it is very difficult. But it is important that we try and play football like we (normally) do.

“They (Stoke) have good players. They have new players, who are good, and they are strong and tall. With this kind of football they will always stay in the Premier League and this is important. They have good players with experience.”