Wright-Phillips may stay: Mancini

Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini has suggested Shaun Wright-Phillips could stay at Eastlands until the end of the season.

Speculation over the 29-year-old’s future has been rife during the January transfer window, with a host of top flight clubs interested in securing the services of the out-of-favour winger.

While it appeared only a matter of time before Wright-Phillips moved away from City, Mancini has now declared he could be retained to preserve squad depth.

“If we lose another player we need to bring in someone different. It is impossible to have 19-20 players for the next four months,” Mancini said.

Mancini also said he would not object to a return for Togolese striker Emmanuel Adebayor, who left this week to begin a loan spell at Real Madrid until the end of the season.

With Carlos Tevez, Mario Balotelli and new signing Edin Dzeko above him in the pecking order at Eastlands, Adebayor opted for a move to the Bernabeu to regain some lost confidence.

When asked if Adebayor could return to City under his stewardship, Mancini replied: “Why not?”

“I think that it’s important that when a player plays, he always plays 100 percent happy.”

“I think that the situation is good for him because with Real Madrid he has a chance to play in the Champions League.”

“I think that will be good for his confidence and at the end of the season, we will see. I hope he can play well and score a lot of goals for Real Madrid, and I’d be happy for him.”

City travel to Meadow Lane on Sunday for an FA Cup fourth-round clash with Notts County, but will be without winger Adam Johnson who has an ankle injury.