Lescott to miss City’s Champions League push

Manchester City defender Joleon Lescott will miss his side’s push to secure a Champions League place after being ruled out due to a hamstring injury.

City boss Roberto Mancini confirmed on Tuesday that Lescott will be unavailable when Tottenham visit Eastlands on Wednesday and will also be sidelined for the last game of the season at West Ham on Sunday.

Lescott’s absence is a blow to City’s hopes of overhauling Tottenham in the race to finish fourth in the Premier League.

Fifth-placed City are currently one point behind Spurs with two matches to play and a win over Harry Redknapp’s side would leave them in pole position to snatch the final Champions League spot.

Mancini does expect the former Everton centre-back to be fit in time to make England’s squad for the World Cup in South Africa.

“Joleon will not play in the last two games,” Mancini said. “I hope Joleon will be fit for the World Cup. He has another 14 days after the Premier League season finishes.”